President Donald Trump is once again taking decisive action on trade, announcing a sweeping 10% tariff on goods from every country — a move he says will take effect “almost immediately.”
The declaration came just hours after the Supreme Court delivered a 6-3 ruling that the tariffs Trump previously imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) exceeded the authority granted under that law. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, concluded that the statute does not provide the president with the power to levy tariffs.
In the opinion, Roberts acknowledged that IEEPA grants the president significant authority to regulate economic transactions after declaring a national emergency. However, he drew a sharp line when it comes to taxation.
“IEEPA’s grant of authority to ‘regulate . . . importation’ falls short. IEEPA contains no reference to tariffs or duties,” Roberts wrote. “The Government points to no statute in which Congress used the word ‘regulate’ to authorize taxation. And until now no President has read IEEPA to confer such power.”
Despite the setback, Trump moved swiftly.
Roughly eight hours after the ruling was handed down, the president took to Truth Social to announce a new across-the-board tariff policy.
“It is my Great Honor to have just signed, from the Oval Office, a Global 10% Tariff on all Countries, which will be effective almost immediately,” Trump wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The president did not specify under which authority he intends to implement the new tariffs. Still, the rapid response underscored his determination to press forward on trade policy, even in the face of judicial resistance.
Trump also did not hold back in criticizing the court’s decision. Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference following the ruling, he described the outcome in stark terms and questioned the motivations behind it.
“It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would think,” Trump said.
In an especially pointed rebuke, the president singled out Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch — both appointed by Trump — for siding with the majority.
“I think the decision was terrible,” Trump said. “I think it’s an embarrassment to their families — you wanna know the truth — the two of them.”
The ruling marks a significant legal hurdle for the administration’s use of emergency powers to reshape global trade relationships. But Trump’s immediate announcement of a new 10% global tariff signals that he has no intention of backing down from his broader economic agenda.
With the Supreme Court drawing clear boundaries around the scope of IEEPA, the next phase of the administration’s trade strategy now takes center stage — and, as Trump made clear, it is moving forward without delay.
[READ MORE: Trump Says He’s ‘Absolutely Ashamed’ After Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs]
