Washington, Feb 21: US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced an increase in global tariffs from 10 per cent to 15 per cent, a day after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down key elements of his administration’s tariff policy.

The decision marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing legal and political battle over executive authority on trade measures.

Supreme Court Rules President Exceeded Emergency Powers Under IEEPA
In a significant ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court invalidated sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, holding that the president had exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers meant for national crises.

The administration had relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify broad trade tariffs. However, the court concluded that the law — designed for extraordinary national emergencies — could not be stretched to support wide-ranging trade restrictions of this nature.

The ruling was widely seen as a legal setback for the White House’s trade agenda.

Trump Announces Immediate Hike, Cites ‘Legally Tested’ Authority
Responding within 24 hours of the judgment, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to declare an immediate increase in tariffs.

“Based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision on Tariffs issued yesterday… I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately, raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff… to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump wrote.

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He further stated that over the coming months, his administration would determine and issue new tariffs that are “legally permissible”, asserting that the move would continue his policy of “Making America Great Again”.

Fresh Legal and Trade Uncertainty Looms
The announcement raises fresh questions about how the administration plans to structure the revised tariffs to withstand judicial scrutiny. While the court ruling limited the use of emergency powers under IEEPA for broad trade action, the president may explore alternative statutory routes to impose tariffs.

The development adds to ongoing uncertainty in global trade markets, as countries and businesses await clarity on the legal framework under which the new 15 per cent tariffs will be implemented.