Trump Eyes New Trade Probes to Revive Tariffs After Court Defeat


Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg
Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

The US is readying a spate of additional national security investigations that would enable President Donald Trump to impose new tariffs, as the administration seeks to rebuild his global tariff regime in the wake of last week’s Supreme Court ruling that struck down the country-specific emergency levies he imposed last year.

The administration is preparing plans to launch investigations into the impact of imports on batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, electrical grid equipment, telecom equipment, plastics and plastic piping, and industrial chemicals, according to a person familiar with the plans granted anonymity to detail internal deliberations. The probes under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 were first reported by the Wall Street Journal; the provision allows the president to impose levies based on national security concerns.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Any new tariffs would come as Trump has already moved to impose a global tariff in the wake of the Supreme Court decision. The administration announced that a 10% levy would be imposed beginning Tuesday morning, which Trump subsequently threatened to increase to 15%.

The president can likely only keep those tariffs in place for five months, and Trump indicated he’d use that time to prepare other import taxes that could help, in aggregate, replace the levies struck down by the courts. Tariffs justified by Section 232 authority are seen as more legally viable, and the president has already used the legal provision to place levies on metals and autos during his second term.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said last week Trump would also look to initiate probes under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 — which is designed to counter discriminatory actions by trading partners — as he sought to rebuild his tariff program.

Those inquires are expected to cover “most major trading partners” and include “areas of concern such as industrial excess capacity, forced labor, pharmaceutical pricing practices, discrimination against U.S. technology companies and digital goods and services, digital services taxes, ocean pollution, and practices related to the trade in seafood, rice, and other products,” Greer said in a statement. The investigations are expected to conclude on an “accelerated” timeline.

Earlier Monday, Trump threatened higher tariffs on goods from countries that “play games” with their existing US trade agreements following the Supreme Court’s decision quashing his global duties.

Earlier: Trump Vows Higher Tariffs for Nations That ‘Play Games’ on Deals

“Any Country that wants to ‘play games’ with the ridiculous supreme court decision, especially those that have ‘Ripped Off’ the U.S.A. for years, and even decades, will be met with a much higher Tariff, and worse, than that which they just recently agreed to. BUYER BEWARE!!!” Trump posted Monday on social media.

The administration has sought to move quickly on the replacement tariffs in a bid to keep deals intact with US trading partners in the wake of the court’s ruling, which undercut his ability to set tariff rates using an emergency law.

The European Union on Monday froze the ratification process for its agreement with the Trump administration. Officials in the European Parliament said they want to seek clarity on Trump’s tariff program before moving forward.

China, Japan, South Korea and the UK are among other major trading partners that negotiated trade pacts with the US. The White House did not immediately respond when asked if Trump’s post was aimed specifically at the EU.

Trump’s post is the latest sign he’s digging in on his plan to unilaterally impose broad tariffs on products entering the US market. But after the court’s decision, he has less flexibility to do so.

“As President, I do not have to go back to Congress to get approval of Tariffs,” Trump wrote in a subsequent post.

–With assistance from Josh Wingrove.

(Updates to add a reporter’s name.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

©2026 Bloomberg L.P.



Source link

  • Related Posts

    New Year’s Eve ball drops in Times Square for America’s 250th

    IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Now Playing New Year’s Eve ball drops in Times Square for America’s 250th 00:29 UP…

    Vancouver-area home sales up nearly 10% in June amid broad increase in demand: board

    VANCOUVER — Vancouver’s real estate board says the region saw increased activity in June as demand for all home types rose compared with the same month last year. Greater Vancouver…

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    You Missed

    Saskatoon teen wants apology after school removed her keffiyeh-inspired scarf during grad ceremony

    Saskatoon teen wants apology after school removed her keffiyeh-inspired scarf during grad ceremony

    How to Decipher July’s Most Popular Emoji

    How to Decipher July’s Most Popular Emoji

    Brutal heat cancels Fourth of July events in DC and Philadelphia

    Brutal heat cancels Fourth of July events in DC and Philadelphia

    New Year’s Eve ball drops in Times Square for America’s 250th

    New Year’s Eve ball drops in Times Square for America’s 250th

    Women’s T20 World Cup: England vs South Africa – Nat Sciver-Brunt scores 75 off 47 balls – best shots

    Women’s T20 World Cup: England vs South Africa – Nat Sciver-Brunt scores 75 off 47 balls – best shots

    Phoebe Bridgers Follows Up RuneScape-Filled Music Video With Her Own Video Game

    Phoebe Bridgers Follows Up RuneScape-Filled Music Video With Her Own Video Game