In a dramatic escalation of international trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, February 21, 2026, that he is raising global import tariffs to 15 percent. This move comes less than 24 hours after the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a stinging 6-3 ruling that declared his previous sweeping tariff measures unlawful, citing that the president had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump slammed the judicial decision as "extraordinarily anti-American" and "disloyal," before immediately invoking a different legal avenue to implement the higher 15% rate. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Tuesday and are expected to remain in place for at least 150 days. Financial markets have reacted with immediate volatility, as the move threatens to disrupt global supply chains and heighten inflation concerns.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Friction

World leaders have expressed deep concern over the unilateral decision. French President Emmanuel Macron called for "international appeasement," stating that the global economy requires reciprocity and stability rather than sudden trade penalties. Meanwhile, the Arab League, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt issued a joint condemnation of remarks made by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who suggested Israel has a "right" to control the entire Middle East. The Arab League described the comments as "inconsistent with the fundamental principles of diplomacy."

Regional Unrest and Security Developments

Beyond trade, several other significant events have shaped the last 24 hours:

• France: Thousands of people marched in Lyon under heavy security in tribute to Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist whose killing has been blamed on radical left-wing groups. President Macron has called for calm as the government prepares to discuss "violent action groups" next week.
• Iran: In a retaliatory move, Tehran has officially designated the navies and air forces of EU member states as terrorist organizations, further straining relations between Iran and the West.
• Ukraine: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled "real opportunities" for progress in peace negotiations, despite ongoing Russian drone strikes that recently targeted civilian infrastructure in Dnipro.
• Philippines: The defense team of former President Rodrigo Duterte faced legal setbacks in the International Criminal Court (ICC) ahead of a crucial hearing scheduled for Monday in the Netherlands regarding his "war on drugs."

For students of competitive exams, these developments highlight the intensifying friction between executive power and judicial oversight in the U.S., the fragility of global trade alliances, and the rising political polarization currently affecting major Western democracies.