（Singapore, 05.03.2026）The United States is expected to raise its broad tariff on imports from 10% to 15% as early as this week, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, marking a renewed push by President Donald Trump to rebuild his trade agenda after a recent legal setback.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Bessent said the administration is preparing to move ahead with the tariff increase soon. The new rate would apply under a temporary legal authority while the government works to restore a more permanent tariff structure.
“That’s likely sometime this week,” Bessent said when asked about the timeline for implementing the 15% tariff.
The tariff increase will be introduced under Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974. This provision allows the president to impose tariffs on imports in response to balance-of-payments issues, but the measures can only remain in effect for up to 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.
That means the new tariff level would last for about five months. During that period, the Trump administration plans to complete a series of trade investigations that could pave the way for longer-term tariffs using other legal authorities.
Bessent expressed confidence that the United States would eventually restore tariffs similar to those that were previously in place before the court ruling.
“It’s my strong belief that the tariff rates will be back to their old rate within five months,” he said.
He noted that the administration intends to rely on other trade laws, including Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These mechanisms typically require longer investigations but are considered more legally durable.
“They are slower moving, but they are more robust,” Bessent said, referring to the legal framework supporting those tariffs.
The latest move follows a major setback for Trump’s trade policy earlier this year. In February, the US Supreme Court ruled that the administration’s use of emergency economic powers to impose sweeping country-specific tariffs was unlawful.
The decision invalidated a large portion of Trump’s global tariff regime, which had targeted both allies and competitors. The policy had been one of the central pillars of Trump’s economic strategy since returning to the White House last year.
Those tariffs had generated more than US$130 billion in revenue for the US government as of late 2025. However, the court ruling has also opened the door for companies to seek refunds for tariffs they previously paid.
The Trump administration has attempted to delay the refund process, but a federal appeals court earlier this week rejected that request, allowing the legal battle to proceed in a lower court.
Following the Supreme Court decision, the administration quickly introduced a temporary 10% universal tariff on imports while it explores alternative legal tools to rebuild its tariff framework.
Trump also signaled that the rate could be raised to 15%, a move that Bessent now suggests is imminent.
However, it remains unclear whether the higher tariff will apply to all trading partners. Some countries or regions may receive exemptions.
For example, the European Union is widely expected to avoid the 15% tariff increase. According to people familiar with the matter, US officials have indicated that EU exports will likely continue facing a 10% tariff instead.
The EU and the United States reached a preliminary trade agreement last summer that would impose a 15% tariff on most EU exports to the US, while eliminating tariffs on many American industrial goods entering Europe. However, the deal has yet to be formally ratified by the European Parliament.
Due to uncertainty surrounding US tariff policies, EU lawmakers have decided to keep the ratification process on hold for now. They have requested more clarity from Washington on how the US plans to implement its tariff framework.
The European Parliament is expected to revisit the issue on March 17.
At the same time, the US government is conducting multiple trade investigations that could eventually lead to additional tariffs. These probes cover sectors such as imported pharmaceuticals and drones, as well as China’s compliance with an earlier trade agreement with Washington.
Bessent said these investigations are intended to establish a stronger legal foundation for future tariffs.
Beyond trade policy, the Treasury secretary also addressed concerns about global oil markets. He downplayed the risk of supply disruptions stemming from the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
According to Bessent, global oil supplies remain ample, with significant volumes of crude currently in transit outside the Persian Gulf region.
“I would encourage everyone to look through the noise and see where we are going on the other side of this in terms of the crude markets,” he said.
He added that the US government is prepared to support energy supply routes if necessary, including providing insurance for oil tankers and ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz with the assistance of the US Navy.
Bessent also highlighted China’s reliance on energy shipments from the Persian Gulf, noting that more than half of China’s energy supply comes from the region. He said China had previously been purchasing large volumes of Iranian crude oil, although those flows are now largely on hold.
Overall, the planned tariff increases signals that the Trump administration remains committed to a tougher trade stance. Over the coming months, the US government is expected to use trade investigations and alternative legal authorities to rebuild its tariff system, potentially reshaping global trade relations once again.
