US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to foreign nations on Monday, threatening to impose higher tariffs on any country that “plays games” with US trade agreements. His comments came hours before new duties were scheduled to take effect, following a recent setback at the Supreme Court.
“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,” Trump wrote on social media.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump’s Tariffs
Last Friday, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing global, country-specific tariffs using emergency economic powers. The decision invalidated a key component of his trade agenda, which relied heavily on rapidly imposed tariffs as a tool to protect US industries.
In response, US Customs and Border Protection announced late Sunday that it would stop collecting tariffs that were struck down by the court, effective Tuesday. Despite this, Trump remained defiant, claiming he could still use other laws to enforce broad tariffs without congressional approval.
Broad Tariffs and Escalating Trade Tensions
On Monday, Trump signed an order imposing a sweeping 10-percent tariff on imports from foreign nations, effective Tuesday. He later promised to raise the tariff level to 15 percent if countries do not comply with US trade agreements.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized that the administration expects trading partners to “stand by” the deals they have negotiated with Washington, despite the Supreme Court’s decision.
Trump doubled down on his stance via his Truth Social platform, writing that as president, he “does not have to go back to Congress to get approval of tariffs.” He further claimed that the court ruling gave him “far more powers and strength” and that he could use licenses to take “absolutely ‘terrible’” action against foreign countries if necessary.
Impact on US Trade Policy
The president’s latest moves highlight ongoing tensions in US trade policy. Economists warn that escalating tariffs could strain international relationships and disrupt global supply chains, potentially affecting US consumers with higher prices on imported goods.
Trade experts note that Trump’s aggressive approach signals a continuation of his signature “America First” economic strategy, which prioritizes domestic industries but has drawn criticism for provoking retaliation from key trading partners.
The coming weeks will likely test the limits of presidential authority in trade matters, as nations weigh compliance with Washington’s new tariff orders against potential economic backlash.
