US President Trump’s counterattack against the Supreme Court’s ruling that tariffs were unconstitutional, and his subsequent announcement of new tariff rates, are bound to introduce more uncertainty and further complicate the situation. Reports indicate that some White House officials were bewildered by the sudden tariff increases. The newly announced 15% tariff rate has a mixed impact on various countries. For countries like the UK, Australia, and Singapore, the new rate is higher than the previously agreed-upon 10% benchmark tariff. However, for countries that previously faced high US tariffs, such as China (20%), Vietnam (20%), India (18%), and Brazil (50%), the new rate is significantly lower.
Some trade experts have pointed out that the U.S. imposing uniform tariffs on imported goods from all countries in the world may ultimately benefit low-cost producers in China and other Asian countries, because even with a 15% import tax, these goods are still relatively inexpensive. However, U.S. Trade Representative Greer pointed out in a Fox News interview on Friday that despite Trump’s announcement of new tariffs, countries that have reached agreements with the U.S. will still be required to adhere to the tariff rates stipulated in those agreements.
Greer stated that although the new tariffs are lower, exports from countries like Malaysia and Cambodia to the U.S. will continue to be taxed at the negotiated 19% rate. Despite legal setbacks, Trump is determined to push through his tariff rates to the end. Trump announced a new 10% tariff immediately after the Supreme Court ruling; less than 24 hours later, on Saturday (February 21), he announced that he would raise the tariff rate to the legally allowed 15% cap, effective immediately.
On Saturday, Trump tweeted on his Truth Social media account that he would determine and enact new legal tariffs within the next 150 days. This move indicates that despite significant legal setbacks, Trump is determined to carry out his plan to impose high tariffs on global imports.
Trump said, “As President of the United States, I will immediately raise the 10% global tariffs imposed on many countries to a fully legal and legally tested 15%. These countries have been exploiting the United States for decades without any punishment.”
Countries are in disarray and are studying countermeasures. Sources revealed that White House staff were caught off guard by the sudden tariff increase. Other countries are also thrown into disarray, scrambling to study the potential repercussions of the US Supreme Court ruling and Trump’s new tariff rates. German Chancellor Merz said on Saturday that he would hold talks with European allies before his visit to the United States in early March to clarify Europe’s position and provide a collective response to the United States.
The Australian government is prepared to explore all options. Australian Trade Minister Farrell said in a statement on Sunday, “We have always opposed these unreasonable tariffs. Australia is working closely with its embassy in Washington to assess the impact of the new tariffs and explore all possible responses.”
Despite facing significant legal setbacks, US President Trump remains determined to implement his plan to impose high tariffs on global imports. (Reuters) Itsunori Onodera, a senior official of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, said on Sunday (22nd) that Trump’s new tariffs were “outrageous” and he worried that they would only accelerate the estrangement of countries from the United States.