“It's a great honor for me that I just signed a global 10 percent tariff for all countries in the Oval Officewhich will take effect almost immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump is invoking Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% to address a “large and severe balance of payments deficit,” according to the White House. Tariffs imposed under these powers may remain in effect for no longer than 150 days unless Congress enacts an act extending their validity.
The Supreme Court, in a six-to-three ruling, rejected the administration's authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The goal of Trump's announcement is to keep many of his tariff policies in place even after the court ruling.
“Effective immediately, all national security-related Section 232 tariffs and existing Section 301 tariffs — which exist, are in force — remain in force, to the fullest extent and with full force,” the president told reporters during a White House news conference on Friday afternoon. — Today I will sign an executive order imposing a 10 percent global Section 122 tariff on top of our normal tariffs already levied. We are also starting several investigations under Section 301 and other laws to protect our country from unfair trade practices of other countries and companies.
The tariffs are to come into force on February 24 at 00/01.
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Customs policy
The White House briefing listed exemptions similar to those included in the tariffs that were rescinded on Friday, excluding certain products in sectors such as energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive and aerospace and protecting goods from neighboring North American countries under the agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada that Trump signed during his first term.
However, this will not provide the president with one flexibilitywhich he had under the Emergency Powers Act. Under the bill, the tariff must be “nondiscriminatory,” meaning the U.S. cannot grant relief to some trading partners but not others.
In prepared remarks in Dallas, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Section 122 tariffs, combined with the additional Section 232 and Section 301 tariffs, “will result in tariff revenues in 2026 being virtually unchanged.”
Trump is also launching investigations into the matter trade practices of specific countries — though he declined to name them. This would allow it to impose higher tariffs on trading partners such as Japan, the European Union and Canada. He said investigations would take several months.
US President Donald Trump during a press conference following the Supreme Court's decision, February 20, 2026.Mandel Ngan / AFP
“We have many tools at our disposal”
Meanwhile, Trump keeps a number of tariffs on specific industriesincluding cars and car parts, steel and aluminum, copper and coniferous wood. These tariffs have been an important factor in encouraging countries to enter into trade agreements and may play a role in keeping the agreements in force.
“We have a lot of tools at our disposal,” said Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative, at a White House news conference. — Expect all of these tools to be unveiled in the coming days and weeks. We intend to maintain the continuity of the program.
Simultaneously Trump criticized the judgeswho rescinded his tariffs on Friday. He accused six members of the Supreme Court of “fear of making the right decision” and suggested that they were guided by foreign interests.
“The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I am ashamed of some members of the court, I am absolutely ashamed that they did not have the courage to do what is right for our country,” he said.
In the months leading up to the ruling, Trump urged the court to refrain from making its decision. “Evil, America-hating forces are fighting us in the United States Supreme Court,” he wrote on Truth Social in November. “Pray to God that our nine judges will show great wisdom and do the right thing for America!”
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
