Feb 21 • 17:57 UTC 🇲🇽 Mexico El Financiero (ES)

The ‘but’ of Trump’s new 15% tariff: How many days will it last at most?

Donald Trump plans to maintain a 15% global tariff despite a Supreme Court ruling against broad tariffs, utilizing alternative congressional powers to impose them, potentially limiting their duration.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling against his generalized tariffs, Donald Trump has declared a 15% global tariff, aiming to stabilize revenue levels for his administration. This decision, announced on Saturday, reflects Trump's continued reliance on alternative powers granted by Congress to implement such tariffs despite legal challenges. Scott Bessent, the Secretary of the Treasury, highlighted the tariff's foundation on specific congressional sections designed to sustain tariff revenues well into 2026.

Bessent explained that if the new tariffs are based on Section 122 of the Trade Act, they will have a limited lifespan of up to 150 days, which places Trump in a position to reissue an executive order if he wants to extend them. This potential time limitation raises questions about the effectiveness and longevity of Trump’s strategy concerning trade revenues. The administration's aim to ensure that tariff revenues remain consistent might face obstacles if the tariffs cannot be maintained beyond the specified durations.

The implications of this tariff announcement extend into various economic sectors, particularly affecting international trade relations. The administration will need to balance immediate revenue needs against the long-term economic relationships with trade partners. There is significant scrutiny regarding how these tariffs will affect domestic consumers and businesses, given that any increased import costs may ultimately be passed down to consumers. Remaining within legal frameworks while managing political and economic fallout will be a key challenge for the administration in the ensuing period.

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