US Announces New 10 Per Cent Tariff Effective for 150 Days from 24 February 2026

United States President Donald Trump has announced the imposition of a new 10 per cent import tariff on all countries, effective for 150 days from 24 February, the White House stated on Friday, 20 February 2026.

“The announcement establishes, for a period of 150 days, an ad valorem import duty of 10 per cent on goods imported into the United States,” the White House statement read.

“The temporary import duty will take effect on 24 February at 00:01 Eastern Standard Time (12:01 Western Indonesian Time),” the White House announcement added.

President Trump exercised his authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which empowers the President to address certain fundamental international payment problems through surcharges and other special import restrictions.

By taking this action, the White House said, the US can stem the outflow of its dollars to foreign producers and encourage the return of domestic production. By increasing domestic output, the US can remedy its balance of payments deficit whilst creating well-paying jobs and lowering costs for consumers.

Previously, President Trump stated he had signed an executive order to establish the new 10 per cent import tariff on all countries.

The new tariff was imposed following a US Supreme Court ruling that President Trump did not have the authority to set global import tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

Trump described the ruling as “very disappointing” and even accused the Supreme Court justices of being influenced by “foreign interests”.

“I am ashamed of some members of the court, truly ashamed, for not having the courage to do what is right for our country,” Trump told reporters.

Trump affirmed that he would use separate authority to impose a uniform 10 per cent tariff on all imports into the United States — after last year imposing various tariffs spontaneously to cajole and punish other countries.

“To protect our country, a president can actually impose higher tariffs than what I imposed in the past,” Trump said, asserting that the ruling made him “more powerful.”