President Donald Trump said on Friday that his administration will impose a 10% global tariff for 150 days, replacing the emergency duties the Supreme Court recently invalidated.
According to the president, the tariff order will be issued under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That statute allows the president to impose duties of up to 15% for a period not exceeding 150 days on "any and all countries" in connection with balance of payments issues. The law, the administration notes, does not require prior investigations or other procedural constraints to implement such duties.
The announcement follows a Supreme Court ruling that found the administration's earlier broad global tariffs, implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were unlawful. The court determined that those duties exceeded the authority granted under that particular statute.
Trump said his administration has alternative tools available to protect the country's trading position. He indicated these alternatives could generate additional revenue and bolster the government's negotiating posture, though he did not provide further operational details about timing or specific revenue estimates.
In parallel with the Section 122 action, the administration is opening several Section 301 investigations aimed at countering unfair trade practices by other countries and companies, according to the president.
The planned 10% tariff would be applied in addition to tariffs already in place, creating an additive effect on existing duties. The new measure is framed by the administration as a temporary remedy the president can deploy within the limits set by Section 122, including the 150-day maximum duration and the 15% ceiling on duties under that authority.
Context and implications
This move shifts the legal basis for broad, temporary duties from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to the Trade Act of 1974. The administration has signaled a multi-pronged approach by combining the Section 122 tariff authority with Section 301 investigations as tools to address what it considers unfair trading behavior.
The announcement makes clear the duties would stack on top of current tariffs, and that the administration views the statutory pathway under Section 122 as permitting rapid deployment without the investigatory requirements that apply under other trade laws.