By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON -  US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is increasing blanket tariffs on goods entering the United States from 10% to 15%, effective immediately, following a Supreme Court decision that curtailed parts of his earlier trade measures.

The move comes one day after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping higher tariffs under a national economic emergency law. The court’s decision limited the administration’s ability to enforce certain duties introduced under that framework.

In response, Trump first implemented a flat 10% tariff on imports worldwide on Friday. On Saturday, he escalated that rate to 15%, citing a different legal provision -- Section 122 of US trade law -- which allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for a limited period.

The measure requires congressional approval if it is to remain in place beyond 150 days.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump criticized the court’s ruling as “extraordinarily anti-American” and said the new 15% rate represents the maximum level permitted under the alternative statute.

He argued that many countries had taken advantage of the United States for decades and said the tariff increase was part of his broader economic strategy.

The president added that his administration would, in the coming months, review and determine additional tariff measures that comply with legal requirements.

The decision is expected to have immediate implications for global trade flows and could prompt retaliatory measures from key US trading partners.

Economists warn that higher tariffs may increase costs for American businesses and consumers, while supporters argue they could strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce trade imbalances.

Financial markets and foreign governments are closely monitoring Washington’s next steps as the administration recalibrates its trade policy following the court’s intervention.

 Trump has used aggressive tariff measures as leverage in trade negotiations, imposing higher duties on several countries since April last year to push for revised agreements aligned with US demands.

In India’s case, Trump said American goods would gain zero-tariff access to the Indian market, while Indian exports would face a 19% duty, alongside broader energy and trade conditions. According to Trump, India also pulled out of buying Russian oil over his demand.

While the Indian opposition accused PM Modi of surrendering before Trump.