Trump Slaps 10% Tariffs on All Imports in Defiance of Supreme Court Smackdown

By Linda Ike

U.S President, Donald Trump has defied a Supreme Court rebuke by imposing a blanket 10% tariff on US imports, signing the order in the Oval Office and announcing via social media it takes effect almost immediately.

The move follows a 6-3 conservative-majority ruling Friday striking down many of Trump’s sweeping, arbitrary duties under a 1977 law, deeming it unauthorized for sudden country-specific hikes that disrupted global trade.

The new 150-day tariff, starting February 24, exempts sectors under probe like pharmaceuticals and US-Mexico-Canada Agreement goods. Even partners with prior deals now face the flat 10% rate, overriding higher negotiated levels, per a White House fact sheet.

A White House official told AFP the administration would later pursue more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates.

Trump, who appointed two justices who ruled against him, lashed out: “I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country.” He claimed without evidence foreign influence and insisted the decision leaves him more powerful, allowing even higher tariffs to protect our country.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking at the Economic Club of Dallas, predicted the workaround would deliver virtually unchanged tariff revenue in 2026.