US trade war: Trump raises global tariffs to 15% from 10%

DW News · Feb 21, 2026 · Collected from RSS

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LivePoliticsGlobal issuesPublished February 21, 2026last updated February 21, 2026Donald Trump said he's raising the global 10% tariff to 15%, a day after the Supreme Court blocked much of the US president's emergency tariffs.https://p.dw.com/p/59CD1Donald Trump was dealt a major legal setback following Friday's Supreme Court ruling Image: Anna Moneymaker/Getty ImagesSkip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to know Trump raises global tariff from 10% to 15% US president raises tariff following Supreme Court ruling US top court struck down much of Trump's emergency tariffs enacted under a law used in national emergencies The US president's ability to impose tariffs using other laws not affected by Friday's ruling Germany's Merz to travel to Washington, due to meet Trump early March Here is a roundup of the news concerning the US tariff turmoil on Saturday, February 21: Skip next section Germany's Merz to travel to Washington amid tariff turmoilFebruary 21, 2026Germany's Merz to travel to Washington amid tariff turmoilGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz told German public broadcaster ARD that he will be traveling to Washington with a "coordinated European position." His comments came before US President Donald Trump raised global tariffs to 15% on Saturday. The German chancellor was speaking with German media outlets after a party conference in Stuttgart came to a close. He told German broadcaster RTL that "constant uncertainty" on tariffs was "the biggest poison for the economies in Europe and the US." "This uncertainty needs to end," he told the private television network. "And I will make an effort to do so." https://p.dw.com/p/59CEXSkip next section Trump calls Supreme Court tariff 'extraordinarily anti-American'February 21, 2026Trump calls Supreme Court tariff 'extraordinarily anti-American'In a post published on his Truth Social network, US President Donald Trump said the Supreme Court decision to strike down tariffs was "ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American." He said his decision to raise new tariffs from 10% to 15% was "fully allowed, and legally tested." "During the next short number of months, the Trump Administration will determine and issue the new and legally permissible Tariffs, which will continue our extraordinarily successful process of Making America Great Again — GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!!!" he added. Trump introduced his controversial import charges under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In their Friday decision, however, the justices at the top US court stated that the law "does not authorize the president to impose tariffs" and that this power was reserved for lawmakers. The US president quickly responded by announcing a 10% global tariff under a different law. Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 as the legal basis for his decision. The new levies can take effect for 150 days before the duties require approval from US Congress. https://p.dw.com/p/59CDkSkip next section Donald Trump raises tariffs to 15%February 21, 2026Donald Trump raises tariffs to 15%After the Supreme Court struck down most of President Donald Trump's controversial trade tariffs as unconstitutional, he announced new levies of 15% worldwide. The move would be "effective ‌immediately," Trump said in a social media post. Trump also said many of the countries affected had been "ripping" the US off for decades "without retribution (until ⁠I came ​along!)" without providing details. The financial fallout of his decision and the effects on it for US trading partners were not immediately clear. https://p.dw.com/p/59CDbSkip next section Welcome to our coverageFebruary 21, 2026Welcome to our coverageHello from the DW newsroom. In this live blog, we are following updates on the Trump administration's trade tariffs. On Saturday, the US president announced a "worldwide tariff" of 15%, raising it from the previously announced 10% levy. It comes after the US Supreme Court ruled Friday that the US president exceeded his authority by implementing his tariff agenda using a law reserved for a national emergency. https://p.dw.com/p/59CDaShow more posts