On February 20th, local time, U.S. President Trump stated that he would sign an order to impose an additional 10% tariff on global goods imported into the United States for a period of 150 days, based on the existing regular tariffs, in accordance with Article 122 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. This move is intended to replace some emergency tariffs that were previously ruled illegal by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump made the announcement at a press conference following the Supreme Court's ruling that his tariff policy was illegal. He also stated that the 10% tariff policy is expected to take effect "in about three days."

Analysts believe that unlike Trump's previous tariff increases, this new tariff can only last for a maximum of 150 days unless Congress approves an extension, according to the aforementioned article.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced its ruling earlier that morning, stating that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose large-scale tariffs, which represents a significant setback for the Trump administration's tariff policy.

In response, Trump claimed to have many "other options," stating that the U.S. government will also initiate several investigations into so-called "unfair trade practices" based on Article 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, "to protect our country from unfair trade practices by other countries and businesses."

Trump also posted on social media that all tariffs imposed on the grounds of "national security," as well as those imposed under Article 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Article 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, will remain in effect.

Additionally, Trump acknowledged at the press conference that the Supreme Court ruling will trigger a protracted legal battle, and it may take "five years of litigation" to determine whether the federal government must refund billions of dollars in tariff revenues to U.S. companies.

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Earlier on the 20th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration's large-scale tariff measures implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act lacked clear legal authorization. However, the ruling only restricts the president from imposing tariffs through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and does not completely deprive him of the power to impose tariffs. The Supreme Court did not provide clear guidance on whether the already imposed tariffs would be refunded or how they would be refunded.

After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration cited the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to introduce a series of tariff increase measures through executive orders without congressional approval. This action was challenged multiple times by U.S. businesses and several state governments. In May of that year, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the Trump administration's actions were illegal and prohibited the enforcement of the executive orders imposing tariffs on multiple countries based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld the ruling of the U.S. Court of International Trade in August 2025 but did not immediately prohibit the Trump administration from continuing to impose tariffs under that law. The U.S. Supreme Court held oral arguments on the case in November of that year, with several justices questioning the legality of the Trump administration's comprehensive tariff policy.

Source: CCTV News Client