A new 10% global tariff took effect on 25 February 2026, replacing Trump's emergency duties struck down by the Supreme Court, though confusion persists as the president had announced a 15% rate just days earlier.
The US began collecting a new 10% global import tariff on 25 February 2026, following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down President Trump’s previous emergency tariffs, which had ranged from 10% to 50%.
On 20 February 2026, the US Supreme Court, in a 6–3 decision in Learning Resources v. Trump, held that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing broad global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA).
Trump initially announced the replacement tariff at 10% on Friday, 20 February, but indicated on Saturday, 21 February, that he would raise it to 15%.
However, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began collecting the lower 10% rate at midnight. A White House official confirmed Trump still intends to increase the rate to 15%, though no formal order has been signed yet.
The new tariffs are imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits temporary duties for up to 150 days to address significant balance-of-payments deficits. Trump’s order cited the USD 1.2 trillion annual US goods trade deficit and a current account deficit of 4% of GDP as justification.
The situation creates uncertainty for countries with recent trade deals. The European Union negotiated an agreement based on a 15% tariff rate, and EU Trade Minister Maros Sefcovic said US officials have assured the bloc that Washington will honour the agreement despite the temporary 10% rate.
Japan requested favourable treatment under the new tariff regime consistent with existing agreements, while both Britain and the EU have expressed their commitment to previously negotiated deals.
Earlier, on Monday, 23 February, Trump warned that countries abandoning recent trade agreements would face substantially higher duties under different trade laws.
