New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump took effect at midnight Tuesday, days after the Supreme Court struck down much of his previous tariff regime, marking a renewed push to reshape U.S. trade policy.
The administration began collecting a 10 percent duty on imported goods not covered by exemptions, according to official notices, even as questions lingered over the final rate and the broader direction of U.S. trade strategy.
The move followed a 6–3 ruling by the conservative-majority Supreme Court that found Trump had exceeded his authority under a 1977 law in imposing sweeping tariffs on individual countries.
Collection of the annulled tariffs, which had ranged from 10 percent to 50 percent, was halted.
After the ruling, Trump initially announced a temporary global tariff of 10 percent, then said the rate would rise to 15 percent.
However, official documents indicated that the levy took effect at the lower rate, with no directive issued to increase it.
A White House official said efforts were under way to update the rate to 15 percent, without specifying when that change might occur.
The temporary duty is being applied under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, allowing it to remain in place for 150 days without congressional approval.
Trump has defended the tariffs as necessary to address what he described as “to deal with the large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits”.
The administration has cited a $1.2 trillion annual goods trade deficit and a current account deficit equal to 4 percent of gross domestic product.
The shifting policy has drawn concern from businesses and trading partners.
China urged Washington to abandon its “unilateral tariffs” and signaled willingness for further trade talks, while reserving the right to adjust countermeasures.
Japan requested assurances that its treatment would remain as favorable as under an existing agreement, with officials affirming they would implement last year’s trade deal “in good faith and without delay”.
The United Kingdom said no reciprocal action was off the table, while the European Union paused ratification of a recent agreement pending clarity.
India deferred talks aimed at finalizing its own trade arrangement.
Meanwhile, legal challenges continue, including a lawsuit seeking refunds of tariffs previously collected under emergency powers.