Trump keeps finding a way to implement his tariff policy : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-07-24 04:00:00 — www.npr.org
Trump Defiant After Supreme Court Tariff Defeat, Vows “Great Alternatives” Despite Economic Fallout
On the day the Supreme Court struck down a major portion of his tariff program, President Donald Trump responded with anger and a vow to press forward with new tariffs. “Other alternatives will now be used to replace the ones that the court incorrectly rejected,” Trump declared at a White House press briefing on February 20. “We have alternatives, great alternatives.”
Trump’s comments came after the Supreme Court ruled that his preferred method for imposing tariffs—using the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—was unlawful. Despite this legal setback, Trump and his administration quickly pivoted to other legal avenues to maintain and expand his tariff regime. In the days following the decision, the administration rolled out a new set of tariffs, imposed fresh fees on Canadian imports, and threatened future tariffs on pharmaceuticals.
Sweeping New Tariffs and Global Condemnation
At 12:01 a.m. on Friday, a global 10 percent tariff instituted by Trump expired, only to be replaced by a new two-tiered tariff system targeting goods from the U.S.’s 60 largest trading partners—including the European Union. The administration claimed these tariffs, set at 10 and 12.5 percent, were necessary to combat imports made with forced labor. However, the scope of the tariffs is sweeping, affecting countries responsible for more than 99% of U.S. imports, though some categories like energy and many foods are exempt.
The administration was also broad in its condemnation of other nations. A U.S. Trade Representative fact sheet asserted, “The United States is the only country in the world to adopt, and effectively enforce, a ban on imports made with forced labor.” Critics, however, questioned the administration’s true motivations. At a Senate hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) accused the administration of dishonesty, saying, “Donald Trump dug up a zombie law to make things even more expensive for Americans,” and argued that the new tariffs were a reconstruction of previously illegal tariffs “under the guise of addressing forced labor.”
Legal Maneuvering and Threats of More Tariffs
While some new tariffs required lengthy investigations, Trump demonstrated he could still act quickly, as seen when he signed proclamations for new 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods using a 1930 law never before applied to tariffs. Trump has also repeatedly threatened tariffs that never materialized, including a recent threat to cut off all trade with Spain over military base access during the U.S.-Israel-initiated war in Iran.
The administration’s patchwork of tariffs, implemented under various statutes, has created a complicated landscape for importers. Experts warn this complexity could pose challenges for businesses and the broader economy.
Public Backlash and Economic Uncertainty
Despite Trump’s insistence on the long-term benefits of tariffs—primarily boosting U.S. manufacturing—public opinion has soured. Polls show Americans increasingly frustrated with the higher costs resulting from import taxes, and approval of Trump’s economic management has declined. Notably, the promised manufacturing employment boom has not materialized; sector employment remains below levels seen when Trump took office.
Conclusion: A Risky Gamble
President Trump remains steadfast in his commitment to tariffs, even as legal, economic, and political challenges mount. His willingness to use new legal justifications and to threaten further trade actions underscores a determination to pursue protectionist policies, regardless of public disapproval or expert warnings about economic risks. As Americans weigh the impact of these policies, the future of Trump’s tariff strategy—and its consequences for the U.S. economy—remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/07/24/nx-s1-5905783/trump-tariff-trade-global-canada