Trump global tariff: US President Donald Trump on Saturday proposed imposing a 15 percent tariff on imports at the global level. He took this step immediately after the decision of the US Supreme Court, in which several broad tariffs imposed over the past one year were declared unconstitutional. Earlier, Trump had announced a 10 percent tariff, but after the court’s decision, it was said that the rate would be increased to 15 percent. In a message issued on social media, Trump said that this decision came after a “detailed and full review” by the court. He described the Supreme Court’s ruling as “wrong and against national interest.”
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 majority decision delivered on Friday, made it clear that the authority to set and change tariffs rests with Congress. The court said that imposing tariffs unilaterally by the President under emergency law is not in line with the Constitution, because the power to levy taxes lies with the legislature. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, which also included Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett. Meanwhile, Justice Brett Kavanaugh filed a 63-page dissenting opinion, which Trump publicly praised. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were also mentioned along with him.
Despite the ruling, Trump indicated that he would rely on another, limited legal provision to implement tariffs. He has also signed an executive order to impose a 10 percent tariff on imports from almost all countries, which is to take effect from Tuesday. This period will remain effective for 150 days, unless Congress decides to extend it further. The White House has so far not clarified when the revised order related to the 15 percent tariff will be issued.
Its impact on India is also being discussed. Last year, 25 percent retaliatory tariffs were imposed on India, which were increased up to 50 percent over the issue of oil imports from Russia. However, in February 2026, under an interim trade framework, the rate was reduced to 18 percent. Now, if the proposed 15 percent global tariff is implemented, India’s effective rate could reach up to 18.5 percent, which is being considered a marginal increase.
The Commerce Ministry has said that it is studying the US Supreme Court’s order and its possible impact. The court’s decision had indicated that there could be a return to tariff rates of around 3.5 percent that were in place before the Trump period. Meanwhile, it is reported that about 55 percent of Indian exports to the US could be exempted from the 18 percent duty, as the court has annulled the tariffs imposed earlier.
The Trump administration says that tariffs are a central part of its economic policy. Its argument is that this will promote American manufacturing and reduce trade imbalance. According to federal data, more than 133 billion dollars have been collected into the US Treasury from import taxes imposed under emergency law until December. However, the court’s decision has not clarified the status of the amount already collected.
Democratic leaders have sharply criticized this step. Members of the House Ways and Means Committee have alleged that the President is putting additional burden on ordinary American citizens. California Governor Gavin Newsom has also said that this decision is not in the interest of common people.
