Bessent: Trump’s 15% Global Tariff Likely to Take Effect This Week

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s newly announced 15% global import tariff is expected to take effect sometime this week as the administration moves to rebuild its tariff framework after a recent Supreme Court ruling struck down part of the president’s trade agenda.

Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bessent said the White House is using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to temporarily impose the tariffs after the court invalidated Trump’s earlier reciprocal tariff program enacted under national emergency powers.

Trump initially set the temporary tariff rate at 10%, but announced in late February that he would raise it to 15%, saying the increase would take effect quickly while the administration works on restoring broader trade measures.

“That’s likely sometime this week,” Bessent said regarding the higher tariff rate.

Section 122 allows the president to impose tariffs for up to 150 days without congressional approval, giving the administration time to rebuild its broader tariff program using other authorities that have historically survived legal challenges.

Bessent said the U.S. Trade Representative’s office is reviewing potential tariffs under Section 301, which targets unfair trade practices, while the Commerce Department is examining tariffs under Section 232, which are based on national security concerns.

He said those efforts are expected to restore tariff levels to their previous levels within several months.

“It’s my strong belief that the tariff rates will be back to their old rate within five months,” Bessent said.

The administration argues the tariffs are part of a broader strategy to strengthen American industry, reduce trade imbalances, and rebuild domestic manufacturing capacity.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

More Worthy News

Jewish New Yorkers Remain Primary Target of Hate Crimes Despite Overall Decline, NYPD Reports
Jewish New Yorkers Remain Primary Target of Hate Crimes Despite Overall Decline, NYPD Reports
Monday, May 4, 2026

New York City’s latest crime data reveals a troubling trend: while overall hate crimes have declined, Jewish residents continue to bear the overwhelming brunt of these offenses.

IDF Destroys Hamas Tunnel Network as Tensions Persist Along Gaza Ceasefire Line
IDF Destroys Hamas Tunnel Network as Tensions Persist Along Gaza Ceasefire Line
Monday, May 4, 2026

Israeli forces have dismantled eight Hamas tunnel routes and killed dozens of terrorists in the Gaza Strip, according to the Israel Defense Forces. The operation concluded a two-month deployment by reservists from the 205th Brigade in northern Gaza.

Iran Strikes Key UAE Oil Hub as Israeli Iron Dome Intercepts Missile
Iran Strikes Key UAE Oil Hub as Israeli Iron Dome Intercepts Missile
Monday, May 4, 2026

Tensions across the Middle East intensified Monday as Iran launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates, striking critical infrastructure and further straining a fragile cease-fire.

DeSantis Signs New Congressional Map Into Law
DeSantis Signs New Congressional Map Into Law
Monday, May 4, 2026

Second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed his redrawn congressional map into law.

U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Mail-order Abortion Pills
U.S. Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Mail-order Abortion Pills
Monday, May 4, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court will temporarily allow women to obtain abortion pills through the mail, without visiting an in-person doctor.

Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran as ‘Project Freedom’ Faces Fiery Test in Strait of Hormuz
Trump Issues Stark Warning to Iran as ‘Project Freedom’ Faces Fiery Test in Strait of Hormuz
Monday, May 4, 2026

Tensions in the Middle East surged Monday as Donald Trump warned that Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if U.S. vessels are attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring the high stakes surrounding America’s newly launched maritime operation, “Project Freedom.”

Belarus Frees Jailed Journalist In Swap As Press Freedom Concerns Persist
Belarus Frees Jailed Journalist In Swap As Press Freedom Concerns Persist
Monday, May 4, 2026

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has welcomed Belarus’s release of journalist Andrzej Poczobut as part of a multinational prisoner exchange involving Poland, the United States, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine.