White House doubles down on America-first strategy while global partners scramble for impact.
In a dramatic escalation of his trade agenda, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blanket 10% tariff on all imports into the United States. The move comes shortly after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down several of his earlier sweeping tariff measures, marking a sharp institutional setback to his signature “America First” policy.
Trump declared the new tariff “effective almost immediately,” reinforcing his commitment to aggressive trade leverage despite judicial pushback. The duty will take effect on February 24 and remain in force for 150 days.
Who Is Affected?
According to a White House factsheet:
- A 10% duty applies broadly to imports.
- Exemptions remain for pharmaceuticals and goods covered under the USMCA trade framework.
- Countries that previously negotiated tariff agreements with Washington will still face the 10% baseline rate.
- The administration may later adjust rates to reflect “pre-negotiated” arrangements.
A senior official indicated that more refined tariff structures could emerge in subsequent phases.
India Deal “Unchanged,” Says Trump
Trump insisted the Supreme Court ruling “changes nothing” regarding the India–U.S. trade deal. He emphasized that under the revised framework, India would pay tariffs while U.S. exports would not face reciprocal duties.
“We did a little flip,” Trump remarked, describing the arrangement as fair and beneficial for American industry.
For global markets, the announcement signals renewed uncertainty. Investors are closely monitoring supply chain disruptions, currency volatility, and the potential for retaliatory trade actions from major economies.
Strategic Trade Reset
The sweeping tariff reflects a recalibration rather than retreat. While the Supreme Court ruling constrained earlier measures, the White House appears determined to preserve leverage in ongoing trade negotiations.
With a 150-day window in place, trading partners must now reassess exposure, renegotiate terms, or absorb the cost. The next phase of global trade diplomacy will likely hinge on whether Washington tempers or intensifies this renewed tariff push.
