About our Tariffs new
Latest news on tariffs, covering US trade policy, import duties, customs, the Trump trade war, retaliatory tariffs, consumer prices and global supply chains.
Tariffs are taxes levied on imported goods, typically imposed by governments to protect domestic industries, raise revenue, or exert geopolitical pressure. They remain one of the most fiercely debated tools in international trade policy, with consequences that ripple from factory floors to household budgets. The question of who ultimately pays the cost of import duties has driven heated dispute among economists, politicians, and business leaders for centuries.
The tariff landscape has been transformed since early 2025, when President Donald Trump launched a sweeping programme of new levies under multiple legal authorities. By mid-2025, US tariffs on Chinese goods had reached as high as 145%, while 25% duties were imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico. Steel and aluminum tariffs were raised to 50% under Section 232, and new levies were applied to automobiles, copper, semiconductors, and other sectors. The trade war triggered retaliatory tariffs from China, Canada, the European Union, and other trading partners, disrupting global supply chains and unsettling financial markets.
A landmark moment arrived on 20 February 2026, when the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorise the president to impose tariffs. The decision struck down the legal basis for much of Trump's tariff agenda, including the "Liberation Day" reciprocal tariffs. The administration moved quickly to replace them, invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% tariff on all imports for 150 days. Questions over billions of dollars in potential refunds to importers who paid the now-invalidated IEEPA duties remain unresolved.
The economic effects of tariffs have been significant. Research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that as much as 90% of tariff costs have been borne by US businesses and consumers rather than foreign exporters. Estimates suggest that the tariffs have added hundreds of dollars in annual costs per American household, contributed to inflation above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, and weighed on GDP growth. The trade deficit, which the tariffs were intended to reduce, has barely shifted. At the same time, some domestic producers of steel, aluminum, and other protected goods have seen increased output, illustrating the complex trade-offs tariffs create between protected sectors and the broader economy.
Tariffs have a long and contentious history. They were once the primary source of US federal revenue and sat at the heart of political battles from the founding of the republic through to the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which is widely regarded as having deepened the Great Depression. The post-war era saw a decisive shift towards free trade, with institutions like the World Trade Organisation (WTO) working to lower barriers. The recent return to high tariff rates has revived debates about protectionism, industrial policy, and the role of trade in national security that many had assumed were settled.
With legal challenges, shifting statutory authorities, ongoing trade negotiations, and the approach of the 2026 midterm elections, the tariff story continues to evolve rapidly. Our ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ feed on tariffs brings together the latest reporting and analysis from across the web, covering trade policy developments, Supreme Court rulings, retaliatory measures, and the real-world impact on businesses and consumers. Whether you are tracking import duties for professional reasons or following the broader economic debate, this feed keeps you informed as events unfold.