Bessent Announces Global Tariff Hike to 15% This Week, Building on Resilient Trade Authorities
The adjustment follows Trump's late February imposition of the initial 10% rate under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a 150-day measure allowing time for studies on Section 301 tariffs for unfair trade practices and Section 232 tariffs for national security threats.
WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated Monday that the administration will likely increase President Trump's temporary 10% global import tariff to 15% this week, as part of efforts to rebuild U.S. trade protections under proven legal frameworks following the Supreme Court's invalidation of prior tariffs.
The adjustment follows Trump's late February imposition of the initial 10% rate under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a 150-day measure allowing time for studies on Section 301 tariffs for unfair trade practices and Section 232 tariffs for national security threats. Bessent described these as "slow-moving but more robust" tools that have withstood court challenges, aiming to restore duty rates to previous levels within five months.
The legal fight over previous tariffs began in April 2025, when businesses and states filed suits arguing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorize presidential tariffs. Key cases included Emily Ley Paper Inc. v. Trump in Florida, State of California v. Trump, and Oregon v. Trump. In May 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled in V.O.S. Selections v. U.S. and State of Oregon v. U.S. that the tariffs were unlawful, blocking enforcement. Appeals followed, with the government prevailing in some jurisdictional dismissals, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the invalidation in August 2025.
On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources Inc. v. Trump that IEEPA does not permit tariffs, striking down duties that had generated over $200 billion in revenue. Justices Roberts, Sotomayor, Kagan, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Jackson formed the majority, emphasizing statutory limits on executive power.
The shift to Section 122 and targeted authorities underscores the administration's commitment to protecting American industries from unfair competition while navigating legal constraints, potentially stabilizing supply chains and addressing trade deficits.
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