WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump vowed to escalate tariffs worldwide despite a Supreme Court setback, announcing a new 10 percent global tariff under Section 122 of trade law at a marathon White House press conference Friday afternoon.

Speaking for over an hour in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, Trump dismissed the court’s ruling as ‘deeply disappointing’ and attacked unnamed justices. He praised dissenting Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh for their ‘strength and wisdom,’ while calling the majority decision ‘an embarrassment’ to others, including some he appointed.

Trump said he plans to sign an executive order imposing the 10 percent tariff on all imports, on top of existing national security measures under Section 232 and China-focused duties under Section 301. ‘They remain in place, fully in place and in full force and effect,’ he said. Asked if rates might climb further, Trump replied, ‘Potentially higher… It depends whatever we want them to be.’

He suggested the ruling opens doors to broader duties under other statutes. ‘I’m allowed to destroy the country, but I can’t charge them a little fee,’ Trump said, highlighting what he sees as vast executive powers to restrict trade entirely.

Trump alleged foreign interests swayed the court, claiming outside forces exerted ‘undue influence’ through ‘fear or respect or friendships.’ He offered no evidence when pressed. The president brushed off Congress, insisting existing laws already grant him tariff authority. ‘You don’t need to — it’s already been approved,’ he said.

On Republican critics, Trump acknowledged losing ‘three votes’ but labeled them ‘not good Republicans.’ He stressed most in his party back him. The court left billions in collected tariff revenue in limbo; Trump predicted years of litigation. ‘We’ll end up being in court for the next five years,’ he said.

Tying tariffs to economic wins, Trump cited the Dow Jones breaking 50,000 and the S&P 500 topping 7,000. January jobs data and consumer prices ‘beat expectations,’ he added, with real wages rising. At a Georgia steel plant, an executive reportedly wanted ‘to kiss’ him for reviving the business via tariffs.

Revenue funded $12 billion in farmer aid last week, Trump said. He positioned tariffs as diplomatic tools, claiming they helped end five of eight wars he settled by threatening 200 percent rates. On India, he said a pending trade deal changes nothing: ‘They’ll be paying tariffs and we will not.’

China faces a 20 percent tariff as punishment for fentanyl, which Trump said dropped over 30 percent due to duties and border security. He criticized Europe as ‘woke’ and hurt by energy and immigration policies. Trump also slammed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell as ‘very incompetent,’ demanding the lowest global interest rates.

Despite the ruling, Trump framed it as bringing ‘great certainty’ to the U.S. and world economies. The session showed tariffs at the core of his agenda, undimmed by judicial pushback.