After Supreme Court ruling, Trump administration prepares new tariffs; exporters including India may face impact

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Following a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States on tariffs, the administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to impose heavy import duties on several new categories of products. These may include large batteries, cast iron, plastic pipes, industrial chemicals, power grid equipment and telecom machinery.

If the United States introduces fresh “national security” tariffs, countries such as India could face consequences, particularly in exports related to metals, chemicals and industrial components, as these sectors form a key part of global supply chains.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the proposed tariffs may be imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. This provision allows the US President to levy tariffs on imports in the interest of national security.

A report by Financial Daily stated that these new tariffs would be separate from the proposed global 15 percent tariff that Trump has suggested keeping in place for five months.

Section 232 has previously been used to impose tariffs on steel, aluminium, copper, automobiles and auto parts. It remains unclear when any new investigation would begin or when such tariffs might come into effect.

Under Section 232, a detailed investigation process is required before tariffs are imposed. However, once implemented, duties can be modified unilaterally by the administration.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that protecting America’s national and economic security remains President Trump’s top priority and that the administration is committed to using every legal authority available to achieve that goal.

Recently, the Supreme Court of the United States, in a 6–3 decision, struck down most of the tariffs imposed during Trump’s second term under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Reports indicate that the ruling did not address tariffs imposed under Section 232.

Trade policy under the Trump administration has faced repeated scrutiny from US courts and international trading partners. Earlier tariffs on steel and aluminium had triggered retaliatory measures from several countries, including India.