European governments pushed back forcefully Saturday after President Trump announced a 15% tariff on all global imports, a move that came just one day after the US Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff mechanism. Leaders from Germany, France, and the UK called for calm, predictability, and a return to rules-based trade.
Trump’s announcement relies on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days before requiring congressional approval. The president argued the provision is both legally valid and immediately effective, though legal experts say the untested law may itself attract court challenges. His Truth Social post declared that other nations had been exploiting the US for decades.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the ongoing tariff upheaval as “poison” for transatlantic economies, saying businesses needed certainty rather than constant shifts. He announced plans to travel to Washington with a unified European message. French President Macron praised the role of an independent judiciary in checking executive excess and emphasized the importance of reciprocity in trade.
The UK, which had previously secured a 10% tariff rate, now finds itself in an uncertain position as the new baseline rises to 15%. The British Chamber of Commerce declared the move bad for trade on both sides of the Atlantic and called for a period of clarity. Trump’s announcement includes exemptions for critical minerals, metals, pharmaceuticals, and USMCA-compliant goods from Canada and Mexico.
American businesses and consumers have absorbed nearly 90% of the more than $130 billion in tariffs collected so far. Business associations are pushing for refunds, but Trump has indicated legal action would be necessary. The 150-day clock on the new law has now begun, and the battle over US trade policy appears far from over.