In light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a large portion of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, the President announced a new worldwide surcharge of ten percent.
“Today I will sign an order, under Section 122, to impose a 10 % global surcharge in addition to the ordinary duties already levied. We will also launch several investigations under Section 301 and other provisions to protect our country from unfair trade practices” Trump wrote on Friday on his personal platform.
The Supreme Court ruled in a 6‑3 vote that the President had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Chief Justice John Roberts, in the opinion, noted that the President alleged an extraordinary power to impose duties of unlimited magnitude, duration, and scope, and that the President must demonstrate clear congressional authorization for such power given its scope, history, and constitutional context.
Trump’s newly imposed rate is based on a different statutory authority: Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the President to impose up to 15 % additional duties for no more than 150 days if there is a substantial imbalance in the balance of payments.
The President also fired a harsh rebuke at the Supreme Court justices, calling the “Democrats on the Court” a “shame for our nation” accusing them of being “unloyal to the Constitution” “fools” and “puppets” for “pseudo‑Republicans” and “radical left‑wing Democrats”. He alleged that the Court was “influenced by foreign interests” offering no evidence for these claims.