Trump's 10% "global tariffs" take effect today, and the implementation timetable for the 15% tariff has not yet been finalized

# Yang Chen

The White House has invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to bypass Congress and extend its tariff framework for 150 days. Reports further suggest the tariff rate may be raised to 15%. This uncertainty has triggered global market turbulence: the EU and India have suspended trade talks, and 60% of Americans oppose the measures. Analysts note that Sections 301 and 232—tools being used to rebuild the tariff regime—are less flexible than the emergency powers previously employed, and related investigations could take months to complete.

Trump’s 10% “global tariff” officially took effect today.

According to CCTV News, the White House recently announced a 10% ad valorem import tariff on all goods entering the U.S., effective at 00:01 ET on February 24, for a 150‑day period.

Media outlets, citing an unnamed government official, report the White House is preparing a formal order to raise the base global tariff to 15%, though the implementation timeline has not been finalized.

Uncertainty has quickly spilled over into trade negotiations and corporate decision‑making. Major trading partners, including the EU and India, have paused relevant arrangements due to unclear policy outlooks.

### Section 122 “takes over”: 10% tariff granted 150‑day window

As Bloomberg reports, Trump is invoking Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows the president to impose tariffs for up to 150 days without congressional approval.

The White House’s shift to this legal path came directly after the Supreme Court ruled Trump’s earlier “reciprocal tariffs”—imposed under emergency powers—unlawful, forcing a change in tools to preserve the tariff framework.

The new executive order retains exemptions for certain items: critical minerals, metals used in currency and bullion, energy and energy products, natural resources and fertilizers that cannot be grown, mined, or otherwise produced in the U.S., among others.

These exemptions lower the effective tax rate below the nominal rate and create divergent impacts across countries and industries.

### 15% speculation disrupts global talks; EU and India press pause

Whether and when the tariff will be hiked to 15% has become the biggest variable. Media report that mixed signals have caused global confusion, with governments and multinational firms re‑examining existing trade agreements to assess applicability and cost changes under the latest threats.

The EU announced Monday it will freeze ratification of its agreement with the U.S. until Trump clarifies his latest tariff plans. India, for similar reasons, has postponed talks scheduled this week in the U.S., which were meant to finalize a temporary trade deal.

Meanwhile, Trump warned Monday that partners “playing games” on existing agreements would face even higher tariffs.

### Rebuilding the “tariff wall”: Sections 301 and 232 are slower and less flexible

The Trump administration has reaffirmed tariffs remain central to its trade policy and plans to launch a series of investigations on an accelerated timeline to impose duties without congressional involvement, aiming to rebuild the tariff system “destroyed” by court rulings.

However, Bloomberg notes that Sections 301 and 232—now being referenced by the White House—offer less flexibility than the emergency powers previously used. Related investigations could take months to complete, and no new probes have been announced to date.

In response to the court ruling, administration officials have asked trading partners to continue abiding by agreements reached with the U.S. over the past year. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBS’s *Face the Nation*: “We want them to understand these are good agreements. We will uphold them, and we expect our partners to do the same.”

This pledge has not fully alleviated major economies’ concerns over policy flip‑flops. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, speaking on the same program, emphasized that “clarity from the U.S. administration” is critical for global trade.

### Tariffs land ahead of State of the Union; public opposition grows

Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union address to Congress, where Democrats and some Republicans will attend in opposition to parts of his trade agenda. Bloomberg reports the speech will focus on economic priorities, with Republicans crafting midterm messaging to address voter frustration over living costs.

Public pressure is mounting. A joint Washington Post‑ABC‑Ipsos poll shows 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of tariffs, while only 34% approve.

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