United States: Trump Hikes Global Tariffs To 15%

President Donald Trump on February 21, 2026 raised the global duty on imports into the United States to 15%. The move came a day after the Supreme Court ruled much of his aggressive tariff policy illegal. Trump announced the hike on his Truth Social platform following a review of what he called an “extraordinarily anti-American decision” by the court. He stated the administration was raising import levies “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.” Shortly after the court’s 6-3 ruling, Trump had initially announced a new 10% global levy by invoking a different legal avenue. The ruling marked a major political setback by striking down Trump’s signature economic policy. It was a stunning rebuke by a high court that has largely sided with the President since he returned to the White House 13 months ago. Saturday’s announcement is sure to provoke further global trade uncertainty. The new duty is by law only temporary and allowable for 150 days. But according to a White House fact sheet, exemptions remain for sectors under separate probes, including pharmaceuticals. Goods entering the US under the US-Mexico-Canada agreement are also exempt. Furthermore, White House officials said on Friday that, US trading partners with separate tariff deals would still face the new global tariff. Friday&r...