What to know about Trump’s new tariffs on more than 80 countries | Trump tariffs
US politics | The Guardian — 2026-07-23 20:56:00 — www.theguardian.com
Donald Trump Pushes New Tariffs Despite Supreme Court Ruling Against His Trade Policies
Donald Trump has continued to push his aggressive tariff agenda, imposing a new wave of duties on more than 80 countries just as a temporary levy on global imports was set to expire. The latest tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, took effect Friday morning and include major US trading partners such as Canada, Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and the European Union.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States has been paying more than its fair share in tariffs and has argued that higher duties are necessary to boost American manufacturing and jobs. However, these assertions have been widely challenged by economic experts and fact-checkers. The New York Federal Reserve estimated that 90% of the economic burden from tariffs has been passed on to US consumers and businesses, contradicting Trump’s repeated claims that tariffs benefit Americans.
The Supreme Court ruled in February that Trump had illegally used his executive power to implement his global trade policies, finding that the 1977 law he invoked did not justify the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs. The court made clear that the power to enact tariffs during times of peace belongs solely to Congress, not the president.
Despite this ruling, Trump’s administration has sought alternative legal justifications to keep tariffs in place. After the court’s decision, Trump immediately issued a 150-day 10% global tariff under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and the latest tariffs are being imposed under section 301 of the same act. Legal experts have warned that these new tariffs are likely to be challenged in court and could be overturned as another example of presidential overreach.
Trump’s insistence that tariffs are necessary for American prosperity is also at odds with public opinion. A recent Harris Poll found that 72% of Americans believe tariffs have had a negative impact on consumers, including 64% of Republican voters. Even as the administration maintains that tariffs have helped Americans, the government has been forced to pay back tens of billions of dollars in tariff revenue to companies since the Supreme Court ruling.
In summary, Trump’s latest round of tariffs continues a pattern of overstating the benefits of his trade policies while disregarding both legal constraints and the economic reality faced by American consumers and businesses. The move underscores his willingness to defy court rulings and public sentiment in pursuit of his trade agenda.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jul/23/trump-tariffs-what-to-know