President Donald Trump has threatened to raise his 10% global tariff to 15% before the current measure expires on July 24, setting up a fresh confrontation with Congress that Republican lawmakers are increasingly reluctant to have just four months before the November midterm elections.
Trump imposed the 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 in February, hours after the Supreme Court struck down his broader IEEPA tariff package in a 6-3 ruling, ordering the government to refund an estimated $166 billion to $175 billion collected from more than 330,000 businesses. The Section 122 measure is temporary, lasting only 150 days, and any extension beyond July 24 requires an act of Congress.
Senior Republicans warn the administration faces an uphill battle in Congress to reinstate the tariffs, with several noting that Democrats are already campaigning on the high cost of living and pointing to Trump’s economic policies as a key contributor. The Tax Foundation estimates the combined Section 122 and Section 232 tariffs will cost the average American household $700 in 2026, on top of the $1,000 hit from 2025 tariffs.
Trump’s Truth Social post announcing his intent to go to 15% described the move as fully allowed and legally tested, though analysts at Bloomberg Economics warned the threat alone was enough to keep trading partners from lowering their guard. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the tariffs chaotic and illegal. Congressional Democrats say the issue will be central to their midterm strategy.
