United States President, Donald Trump, on Saturday announced a hike in global import duties to 15 per cent, doubling down on his aggressive tariff agenda barely 24 hours after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that much of his trade policy was unlawful.

The move signals a dramatic escalation in Washington’s trade posture and sets the stage for prolonged legal and diplomatic battles.

In a 6-3 ruling on Friday, the apex court rejected the president’s use of a 1977 economic emergency powers law to impose sweeping tariffs. The decision marked one of the most significant judicial setbacks for Trump since returning to office 13 months ago.

The ruling struck down what has become the signature economic policy of his administration, a tariff regime that has unsettled global markets and reshaped trade relations.

However, Trump wasted little time in responding.

Taking to his Truth Social platform, the president described the judgment as an “extraordinarily anti-American decision” and declared that, following a review, his administration would raise global import levies “to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level.”

Shortly after the ruling, Trump had initially invoked an alternative legal provision to announce a 10 per cent global levy. Saturday’s adjustment effectively increased that rate to 15 per cent.

The political fallout was immediate and intense. Republicans launched an unusual public rebuke of conservative justices who sided with the majority, accusing them of “disloyalty” and branding them “fools and lap dogs.”

Trump, however, praised the three conservative justices who voted to uphold his authority: Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh.

He thanked them “for their strength and wisdom, and love of our country.”

The president went further, alleging that the six-member majority, including two justices nominated during his first term, had been “swayed by foreign interests.”

“I think that foreign interests are represented by people that I believe have undue influence,” he said.

Global Reactions Mount

Trump’s latest announcement has triggered fresh uncertainty in global trade circles, with several countries indicating they are studying both the court’s ruling and the White House’s response.

Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, urged Washington to pursue fairness rather than confrontation.

“I want to tell the US President Donald Trump that we don’t want a new Cold War. We don’t want interference in any other country, we want all countries to be treated equally,” Lula told reporters in New Delhi.

In Europe, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz disclosed plans to consult with European allies to develop “a very clear European position” ahead of a scheduled visit to Washington in early March.

 News reports that within the United States, criticism also poured in.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, called on Trump to respect the court’s verdict.

“It’s time for Trump to listen to the Supreme Court, end chaotic tariffs, and stop wreaking havoc on our farmers, small business owners, and families,” Shapiro wrote on 𝕏.

Business groups, however, welcomed the ruling. The National Retail Federation said the decision “provides much-needed certainty” for companies navigating unpredictable trade policies.

Wall Street shares, closely watched by the president, rose modestly on Friday following the anticipated ruling.

Temporary Measure, More Legal Battles Ahead

According to a White House fact sheet, the newly announced 15 per cent global tariff is temporary and legally permissible for 150 days.

Exemptions remain for sectors under separate investigations, including pharmaceuticals, as well as goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Sector-specific duties earlier imposed by Trump on steel, aluminum and other goods remain unaffected by Friday’s judgment. Ongoing government probes could also result in additional targeted tariffs.

The White House had earlier stated that trading partners who negotiated separate tariff deals with the administration would also be subject to the new global levy.

During court arguments, the administration indicated companies would receive refunds if the tariffs were ultimately deemed unlawful. However, the Supreme Court did not address the refund issue in its ruling.

Trump acknowledged that the matter could be tied up in litigation for years, while Justice Kavanaugh reportedly warned that any refund process could become a “mess.”