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Trump Defies Court Ruling, Imposes New Tariffs

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump asserts he can impose new tariffs despite a Supreme Court ruling invalidating many prior tariffs.
He says the ruling does not prevent using alternative trade laws to impose duties.
Following the ruling, Trump set a 10% tariff on U.S. imports and opened inquiries into 60 economies, including China and the European Union, over forced labor.
Trump criticized the decision and vowed to continue pursuing trade penalties.

History

Historical Context

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, signed by President Herbert Hoover on June 17, 1930, raised tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods to protect American industries during the Great Depression. This protectionist measure, however, led to retaliatory tariffs from trading partners, exacerbating the economic downturn and contributing to a 66% decline in global trade. Trump's recent tariff proposals echo this contentious historical precedent.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump asserts he can impose new tariffs despite a Supreme Court ruling invalidating many prior tariffs.
He says the ruling does not prevent using alternative trade laws to impose duties.
Following the ruling, Trump set a 10% tariff on U.S. imports and opened inquiries into 60 economies, including China and the European Union, over forced labor.
Trump criticized the decision and vowed to continue pursuing trade penalties.

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