Trump announces signing of executive order to impose an additional 10% global import tariff

On February 20th, local time, U.S. President Trump posted on his social media platform “Truth Social” that he had just signed a bill in the Oval Office imposing a 10% global import tariff on all countries, which will take effect immediately.

The U.S. Supreme Court announced its ruling that morning, ruling that the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose large-scale tariffs, representing a significant setback to the Trump administration’s tariff policies.

In response, Trump claimed there are many “other options” and stated that the U.S. government will also initiate several investigations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for so-called “unfair trade practices,” “to protect our country from unfair trade actions by other countries and companies.”

That day, Trump also posted on social media that all tariffs imposed by the U.S. on the grounds of “national security” and those levied under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 will remain in effect.

Additionally, Trump admitted at a press conference that the Supreme Court’s ruling will trigger a prolonged legal battle, and that the federal government may “be involved in a five-year lawsuit” over whether it must refund billions of dollars in tariffs to U.S. companies.

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Earlier on the 20th, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs implemented by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act lacked clear legal authorization. However, the ruling only restricts the president from imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and does not fully revoke his authority to impose tariffs. The Supreme Court did not specify whether tariffs already collected should be refunded or how to do so.

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

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

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White House Announces Implementation Time and Exemptions for Temporary Import Tariffs

On February 20th, local time, the White House issued a statement that President Trump signed an announcement imposing temporary import tariffs. Trump cited the authority granted by Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes the president to address certain fundamental international payment issues through surcharges and other special import restrictions.

The announcement stipulates a 10% ad valorem import tariff on goods imported into the U.S. for a period of 150 days. The temporary tariffs will take effect on February 24th Eastern Time. To meet U.S. economic needs or to ensure the tariffs more effectively address fundamental international payment issues faced by the U.S., some goods will be exempt from these temporary tariffs, including: certain key minerals, metals used for currency and bullion, energy and energy products; natural resources and fertilizers that cannot be produced domestically or in sufficient quantities; certain agricultural products such as beef, tomatoes, and oranges; pharmaceuticals and drug ingredients; certain electronic products; passenger cars, some light trucks, certain medium and heavy vehicles, buses, and parts thereof; aerospace products; informational materials (such as books), donations, and carry-on luggage.

Furthermore, some goods are exempt from the temporary tariffs, including all items currently or in the future subject to Section 232 and their components, goods from Canada and Mexico that meet the USMCA provisions, and textiles and apparel imported duty-free under the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), as goods from Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua.

In another executive order, Trump reaffirmed and continued the suspension of duty-free treatment for low-value goods (including those shipped via international postal systems), which will also be subject to the temporary tariffs under Section 122. In addition to the measures taken that day, Trump also instructed the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to use its authority under Section 301 to investigate certain unreasonable and discriminatory practices, policies, and actions.

U.S. to Terminate Some Tariff Measures

The White House stated that after the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s large-scale tariffs enacted under laws aimed at responding to national emergencies are invalid, the Trump administration will terminate some tariff measures. The White House said in an executive order: “In light of recent developments, additional ad valorem tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act through previous executive orders will no longer be in effect and will be discontinued as soon as practicable.”