US Tariffs Rise to 15 Percent After Supreme Court Strikes Down Plan

United States President Donald Trump increased a new blanket import duty to 15 percent on Saturday. The change came a day after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier tariff system. The quick shift added to market uncertainty. Firms and foreign governments were left checking how refunds may work for billions already paid.

Trump announced on Truth Social that the 15 percent rate was "effective immediately". Trump also attacked the court decision as "ridiculous, poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American,". Trump argued the ruling narrowed presidential control over trade policy and taxation. The move followed a fast legal setback that reshaped Trump’s tariff plan.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Trump lacked authority to set tariffs alone. The court said the US Constitution gives Congress the power to levy taxes. That decision cancelled Trump’s emergency tariffs on nearly all countries. Those duties were issued under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Within hours, Trump switched to a different legal route. At a news conference, Trump called the majority justices "fools and lapdogs" and an "embarrassment to their families." Trump then signed an executive order using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That order set a 10 percent universal tariff first.

Trump later lifted that universal rate to 15 percent on Saturday. Section 122 caps tariffs at 15 percent, making this the maximum allowed. The law also restricts timing. The tariff can last only 150 days unless Congress extends it. Lawyers said Section 122 had not been used this broadly before.

It was unclear over the weekend if the White House would issue a revised order for 15 percent. Reuters reported that exemptions would apply. These included critical minerals, select metals, and certain energy-related goods. Even so, the legal novelty raised the risk of fresh court challenges and delayed clarity for importers.

Trump tariffs and trade deals with countries

The ruling also complicated recent tariff agreements with the US. Diamond said refunds in the US may not settle duties written into bilateral deals. Key arrangements are shown below.

Country	Deal position and tariff details	Other commitments
Taiwan	General tariff cut from 20 percent to 15 percent	Taipei agreed to buy around $85 billion of US energy, aircraft and equipment
United Kingdom	Most goods at 10 percent; car, steel and aluminium duties reduced	Changes formed part of a broader agreement
Malaysia and Cambodia	Exports still face 19 percent under negotiated agreements	Rate stayed above the new universal level
Brazil	No deal; earlier tariff was 40 percent	Could see a temporary drop to 15 percent after the ruling

The episode left companies weighing near-term costs against possible refunds. Foreign governments also faced open questions on how deals interact with US court outcomes. The views and recommendations expressed are solely those of the individual analysts or entities and do not reflect the views of Goodreturns.in or Greynium Information Technologies Private Limited (together referred as "we"). We do not guarantee, endorse or take responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any content, nor do we provide any investment advice or solicit the purchase or sale of securities.