Updated
Updated · CNN International · Jun 26
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Europe as Court Curbs His Fastest Trade Powers
Updated
Updated · CNN International · Jun 26

Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Europe as Court Curbs His Fastest Trade Powers

3 articles · Updated · CNN International · Jun 26

Summary

  • A 100% tariff threat against any European country adopting a digital services tax landed Friday, with Trump saying the duties would apply immediately and override existing trade deals.
  • A February Supreme Court ruling sharply limits his ability to carry that out, after justices said the 1974 emergency law he used for past tariff moves does not let a president impose duties at will.
  • The administration's fallback is narrower: a uniform 10% tariff expires next month, while Section 301 investigations could support new tariffs but would likely take months rather than happen instantly.
  • Digital services taxes target revenue from large online platforms, and Trump argues they disproportionately hit U.S. tech groups; earlier first-term Section 301 probes into European taxes ended up as negotiating leverage, not higher duties.

Insights

Will the new 100% tariff threat break the global digital tax deadlock or ignite a much wider trade war?
With courts blocking past tariffs, what legal power could the White House use to impose its 100% tariff threat?