President Trump changed his plan after a Supreme Court loss by announcing Saturday that he is lifting his new blanket tariff on imports to 15%—hours after announcing he was imposing the levy at 10%. In a Truth Social post, Trump said the increase would take effect immediately, calling it the "fully allowed" level under a little-used statute that permits a temporary, across-the-board tariff. The law, not previously invoked by a president, lets him impose such a measure for 150 days unless Congress votes to extend it, and it caps the rate at 15%, the New York Times reports.
The duties invalidated Friday by the court had pushed many nations into new trade agreements with the US, and their sudden removal, followed by the new 15% global rate, has added to uncertainty for governments and companies that had adjusted to Trump's shifting tariff policy. The new flat rate will be higher than some of the countries had faced under the now-blocked tariffs. Trump singed an executive order on the 10% level on Friday night, per the AP; the White House The White House did not immediately say when he'll sign an updated order.
The administration has signaled it will also turn to other trade laws, including Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, to levy country-specific tariffs based on individual trade practices, but such cases take time to build. Until then, exports from all countries are to be subject to the same 15% rate, regardless of prior concessions or trade conduct. Analysts say that could give an advantage to lower-cost producers in economies such as China and other Asian nations, per the Times, whose goods may remain competitive even with the higher US duty. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released on Friday shows 64% of voters are opposed to Trump's tariffs, while 34% support them, per the Post.
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