New Delhi | 21 Feb 2026

US President Donald Trump has announced a fresh hike in global tariffs, raising the levy from 10% to 15%, just a day after a major setback from the country’s top court. The move comes after the United States Supreme Court struck down the reciprocal tariffs he had announced soon after beginning his second presidential term.

Reacting strongly to the court’s decision, Trump said his administration would go ahead with the higher tariff rate with immediate effect. Explaining his stand in a post on Truth Social, he described the ruling as “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American”, and insisted that the tariff increase was necessary to protect US economic interests.

Trump further said the decision targets countries that have been “ripping” the United States off for decades. He claimed the revised 15% tariff level is “fully allowed, and legally tested”, and argued that his leadership has finally brought accountability to global trade practices that he believes have long hurt American businesses.

To support the move, Trump has invoked powers under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the President to impose tariffs to address balance of payment concerns. However, under the law, the order will remain valid for 150 days, after which it will expire unless the US Congress votes to extend it.

Trump Pushes Back After US Supreme Court Ruling, Raises Global Tariffs to 15%

US President Donald Trump has announced a fresh hike in global tariffs, raising the levy from 10% to 15%, just a day after a major setback from the country’s top court. The move comes after the United States Supreme Court struck down the reciprocal tariffs he had announced soon after beginning his second presidential term.

Reacting strongly to the court’s decision, Trump said his administration would go ahead with the higher tariff rate with immediate effect. Explaining his stand in a post on Truth Social, he described the ruling as “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American”, and insisted that the tariff increase was necessary to protect US economic interests.

Trump further said the decision targets countries that have been “ripping” the United States off for decades. He claimed the revised 15% tariff level is “fully allowed, and legally tested”, and argued that his leadership has finally brought accountability to global trade practices that he believes have long hurt American businesses.

To support the move, Trump has invoked powers under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the President to impose tariffs to address balance of payment concerns. However, under the law, the order will remain valid for 150 days, after which it will expire unless the US Congress votes to extend it.