Trump's New Tariffs Hit Global Trade After Supreme Court Setback
Fresh US tariffs on imported goods came into effect today as President Donald Trump scrambled to rebuild his protectionist trade agenda following a significant Supreme Court defeat that struck down many of his arbitrary global duties.
The new 10% tariffs, affecting $1.2 trillion worth of imports annually, represent roughly 34% of all goods entering the United States. Trump has already signalled his intention to raise this rate to 15%, demonstrating his continued commitment to economic nationalism despite judicial constraints.
Supreme Court Delivers Blow to Trumpist Economic Policy
In a decisive 6-3 ruling, the conservative-majority Supreme Court found that Trump had exceeded his presidential authority by using a 1977 law to impose sudden tariffs on individual countries. This represents a significant constitutional check on executive overreach in trade policy.
The White House justified the new tariffs as necessary "to deal with the large and serious US balance-of-payments deficits," though economists warn of the burden on American households.
Economic Impact on Working Families
Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, revealed the stark reality facing ordinary Americans: "The Trump tariffs amounted to an average tax increase per US household of $1,000 in 2025." Even with the court's intervention, families still face a projected burden of $700 in 2026.
This regressive taxation disproportionately affects working-class communities, contradicting populist rhetoric while enriching corporate interests through protected markets.
International Relations Under Strain
Trump's erratic trade policy has strained relationships with traditional allies, including Britain and Australia, who now face potentially higher tariff rates under the new regime. Former US trade official Wendy Cutler warned that such actions could intensify partner nations' disappointment and drive them to diversify away from American markets.
The 150-day temporary nature of these tariffs, pending Congressional extension, creates additional uncertainty for global supply chains and international commerce.
For Ireland, as a member of the European Union, these developments underscore the importance of continued European solidarity and the pursuit of fair, multilateral trade relationships that benefit working people rather than corporate elites.