Trump's 10% "Global Tariff" takes effect today; the 15% tariff implementation schedule has not yet been finalized.

Trump’s 10% “Global Tariffs” Take Effect Today.

According to CCTV News, the White House recently announced that a 10% ad valorem import tariff will be imposed on goods imported into the United States for a period of 150 days, effective from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on February 24.

Citing an unnamed government official, media reports indicate that the White House is preparing to raise the global tariff benchmark to 15% through an official order, but the implementation timetable has not yet been finalized.

Uncertainty is rapidly spilling over into negotiations and corporate decision-making. Major trading partners, including the European Union and India, have suspended related arrangements due to unclear policy prospects.

Trade Law 122 “Relay”: 10% Tariff Opens 150-Day Window

According to Bloomberg, Trump is utilizing Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows tariffs to be imposed for up to 150 days without Congressional approval.

The White House chose this route because the Supreme Court previously ruled that Trump’s invocation of emergency powers to implement so-called “reciprocal tariffs” was illegal, forcing a change in tools to maintain the tariff framework.

The new executive order retains some exemptions, including certain key minerals, metals used for currency and gold/silver bars, energy and energy products; natural resources and fertilizers that cannot be produced domestically in the U.S., whether through planting, mining, or other means.

These exemptions result in an effective tax rate lower than the nominal rate and cause differentiated impacts across countries and industries.

15% Uncertainty Sparks Global Negotiations, EU and India Pause

Whether the tariff rate will be raised to 15% and when remains the biggest variables. Media reports that unclear signals have caused confusion worldwide, with governments and multinational companies re-evaluating existing trade agreements to assess applicable boundaries and cost changes under the latest threats.

On Monday, the EU announced it would freeze approval procedures for agreements with the U.S. until Trump clarifies his latest tariff plans. India also postponed talks scheduled this week in the U.S., originally intended to finalize a temporary trade deal, citing similar reasons.

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

Tools for Rebuilding the “Tariff Wall”: Section 301 and 232 Are Slower and Less Flexible

The Trump team reaffirmed that tariffs remain central to its trade policy and plans to initiate a series of investigations on a faster timeline to impose tariffs without Congressional involvement, aiming to rebuild a tariff system “destroyed” by court rulings.

However, Bloomberg notes that the authorities cited—Section 301, Section 232, etc.—are less flexible than the emergency powers previously used, and related investigations could take months to complete, with no new investigations announced so far.

In response to court rulings, government officials are urging trade partners to continue honoring agreements made with the U.S. over the past year. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CBS’s Face the Nation, “We hope they understand these agreements are good agreements, we will abide by them, and we hope partners will do the same.”

However, this statement has not fully alleviated concerns among major economies about policy reversals. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde also said on the same program that “clarity from the U.S. government on global trade is crucial.”

Pre-State of the Union Address, Public Opinion War Heats Up

Trump is about to deliver the State of the Union address to Congress, with Democratic and some Republican members opposed to certain trade policies expected to attend. Bloomberg reports that the speech is expected to focus on the economic agenda, as the Republican Party tries to craft midterm election messaging in response to voter dissatisfaction over living costs.

Public opinion pressures are also rising. According to a joint survey by The Washington Post, ABC, and Ipsos, 64% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of tariffs, only 34% approve.

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