President Donald Trump Raises Global Import Tariff to 15% After Supreme Court Strikes Down His Sweeping Tariff Program

On Feb. 20–21, 2026 the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6–3 decision striking down the broad tariff program President Donald Trump had imposed using emergency economic powers.

Within a day the White House announced it would immediately raise a temporary worldwide import levy from the 10% rate announced earlier to the 15% maximum allowed under a separate statute.

Al Jazeera

Multiple outlets reported the Court found the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorize the sweeping tariffs the administration had tried to impose.

Those outlets also reported the administration moved to Section 122 (or similar trade statutes) to claim a 15% cap that lasts 150 days unless Congress acts.

Sources described the decision and the rapid shift to a 15% temporary duty as legally contentious and politically charged.

The administration cited Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as the legal route for the 15% rate.

Multiple outlets say Section 122 permits up to 15% duties for 150 days without prior congressional approval, and that extensions beyond that window would require Congress.

ANI News

The administration also signaled it will pursue other authorities such as Section 301 investigations to design narrower, 'legally permissible' tariffs and to target specific unfair trade practices.

Several reports stress Section 122 is temporary and could be used repeatedly to create rolling measures.

Legal analysts in other pieces warn the step is narrower than the broad emergency power that the Court struck down.

Trump’s immediate public response on Truth Social mixed legal defiance with sharp personal attacks on several justices.

“Three conservative Supreme Court justices — Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh and Samuel Alito — filed a dissent”

BBC

Multiple outlets recorded him calling the decision 'ridiculous,' 'poorly written' and 'extraordinarily anti‑American,' and said he used epithets such as 'lapdogs,' called some justices 'an embarrassment,' and said he was 'ashamed' of certain members.

He also praised the three dissenting justices in the 6–3 ruling; some reports say he singled out Justice Brett Kavanaugh as a 'new hero' and commended Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

Coverage varies on whether the rhetoric is presented as a political performance, a legal strategy, or both.

Coverage differs on the immediate economic effects and the practicalities of enforcement.

Several mainstream business-oriented outlets report companies preparing to seek refunds and warn of market and supply‑chain disruption.

Business Today

Other outlets highlight the revenue already collected and the likelihood of litigation over duties and refunds.

Some pieces underline that sector‑specific duties tied to other statutes — steel, aluminium, autos and semiconductors — remain intact and that exemptions for critical sectors are being retained as the administration refines its approach.

International and regional outlets emphasise different geopolitical and country impacts.

“President Trump announced he is raising a temporary, nationwide tariff on all U”

BusinessLine

Asian outlets focus on consequences for India and trade partners.

BusinessLine

West Asian and European outlets highlight the move as an attempt to sidestep the Court’s limit and note industry and diplomatic reactions.

Latin American and African outlets report the factual sequence and possible follow-on measures.

Indian and regional papers underline that the 15% temporary duty interacts with existing MFN and negotiated rates.

They add that New Delhi is reviewing the implications.

Other outlets point out the ruling reduces one executive route for tariffs while leaving other statutory tools intact.