Trump to impose 10% global tariff on US imports

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he will sign an executive order imposing a fresh 10 percent tariff on all imports into the United States on top of existing US levies, just hours after the Supreme Court ruled against his previous sweeping tariffs.

“Today I will sign an order to impose a ten percent global tariff under Section 122, over and above our normal tariffs already being charged,” Trump said in a press briefing at the White House.

Rather than back down, Trump is moving swiftly and creatively to have his way. He is invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows a president to set temporary import restrictions for up to 150 days.

He also announced new investigations under Section 301 and other trade statutes, a move that could pave the way for another wave of targeted tariffs on countries he accuses of unfair trading practices.

The pivot comes after Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) “cannot bear such weight,” invalidating the tariffs he had imposed on dozens of countries since returning to the White House.

Africa was among the hardest-hit regions under Trump’s now-struck-down tariff regime.

South Africa was slapped with a 30 percent reciprocal tariff, the highest rate on the continent and a source of diplomatic tension. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faced a 15 percent rate on its exports, threatening non-oil sectors like cocoa.

Angola, one of the continent’s top oil producers, was hit with 32 percent, later revised down to 15 percent after negotiations, while smaller southern African nations bore the steepest burdens, with Lesotho initially facing a punishing 50 percent before it was reduced.

With the IEEPA tariffs now struck down, businesses that paid those levies could be owed as much as $150 billion in refunds, though the Supreme Court left the question of repayments unresolved.

Bethel Olujobi reports on trade and maritime business for BusinessDay with prior experience reporting on migration, labour, and tech. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from the University of Jos, and is certified by the FT, Reuters and Google. Drawing from his experience working with other respected news providers, he presents a nuanced and informed perspective on the complexities of critical matters. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria and occasionally commutes to Abuja.

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