The Russia-controlled part of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region was experiencing emergency power blackouts on Friday (May 22, 2026), Russia-installed Governor Yevgeny Balitsky was quoted as saying by the Kommersant newspaper. However, critical infrastructure was working as usual, he said
As I ring the doorbell of Maggie O'Farrell's Edinburgh home, I wonder with some trepidation whether the acclaimed novelist might have become a bit starry after the whirlwind few months she's just had. She's been jet-setting between the UK and the US
Election Commission announces Rajya Sabha polls for 24 seats on June 18The EC also announced bypolls for one seat each for the council of states from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Published on: May 22, 2026 11:20 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link The Election Commission on Friday announced polls for 24
What is Oggy Janata Party? 5 things to know about group questioning Cockroach Janta PartyThe Oggy Janata Party issued a six-point manifesto outlining its commitment to animal welfare. Published on: May 22, 2026 9:45 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link In a hilarious twist that perfectly
India heatwave: How temperatures above 40°C attack the human body; take these steps to protect yourself and your familyTo combat extreme heat, WHO recommends protocols including maintaining cool living spaces, staying hydrated, and avoiding outdoor activities during peak heat. Published on: May 22
, the parent of Ixigo, saw its operating revenue increase 8.5% year on year to Rs 308 crore for the quarter ended March.The company posted a profit after tax of Rs 32 crore, up 91% year on year. Ixigo attributed the growth to its multi-modal diversification strategy
Doctor reveals how one simple test uncovered the cause behind a 77-year-old man’s sleepless legsDoctor shares how a routine test ended a 10-year mystery behind a 77-year-old man’s sleepless legs. Published on: May 22, 2026 11:17 AM IST By Anukriti Srivastava Share via Copy link In an X post
Meta reaches out to ex-employee for interview the same week it laid off 8,000 workers: ‘We will cut you at any moment’The now-founder shared he used to work at Meta years earlier and resigned from the company in 2018. Published on: May 22, 2026 8:11 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link
Trump has other tariff options if the Supreme Court strikes down his worldwide import taxes
With the possibility of Supreme Court battles looming over his tariffs, President Trump isn't without options. He can draw on various powers established during his first term and even a historic law from the Great Depression. Analysts suggest that these alternative avenues could empower Trump to fortify his tariff strategy and maintain strong trade regulations.
President Donald Trump has warned that the United States will be rendered "defenseless'' and possibly "reduced to almost Third World status'' if Supreme Court strikes down the tariffs he imposed this year on nearly every country on earth.
The justices sounded skeptical during oral arguments Wednesday of his sweeping claims of authority to impose tariffs as he sees fit.
The truth, though, is that Trump will still have plenty of options to keep taxing imports aggressively even if the court rules against him. He can re-use tariff powers he deployed in his first term and can reach for others, including one that dates back to the Great Depression.
"It's hard to see any pathway here where tariffs end," said Georgetown trade law professor Kathleen Claussen. "I am pretty convinced he could rebuild the tariff landscape he has now using other authorities."
At Wednesday's hearing, in fact, lawyer Neal Katyal, representing small businesses suing to get the tariffs struck down, argued that Trump didn't need the boundless authority he's claimed to impose tariffs under 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). That is because Congress delegated tariff power to the White House in several other statutes - though it carefully limited the ways the president could use the authority.
"Congress knows exactly how to delegate its tariff powers,'' Katyal said.
Tariffs have become a cornerstone of Trump's foreign policy in his second term, with double-digit "reciprocal'' tariffs imposed on most countries, which he has justified by declaring America's longstanding trade deficits a national emergency.
The average U.S. tariff has gone from 2.5% when Trump returned to the White House in January to 17.9%, highest since 1934, according to calculations by Yale University's Budget Lab.
The president acted alone even though the U.S. Constitution specifically gives the power to tax - and impose tariffs - to Congress.
Still, Trump "will have other tools that can cause pain,'' said Stratos Pahis of Brooklyn Law School. Here's a look at some of his options:
Countering unfair trade practices
The United States has long had a handy cudgel to wallop countries it accuses of engaging in "unjustifiable,'' "unreasonable'' or "discriminatory'' trade practices. That is Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
And Trump has made aggressive use of it himself - especially against China. In his first term, he cited Section 301 to impose sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports in a dispute over the sharp-elbowed tactics that Beijing was using to challenge America's technological dominance. The U.S. is also using 301 powers to counter what it calls unfair Chinese practices in the shipbuilding industry.
"You've had Section 301 tariffs in place against China for years,'' said Ryan Majerus, a partner at King & Spalding and a trade official in Trump's first administration and in Biden's.
There are no limits on the size of Section 301 tariffs. They expire after four years but can be extended.
But the administration's trade representative must conduct an investigation and typically hold a public hearing before imposing 301 tariffs.
John Veroneau, general counsel for the U.S. trade representative in the George W. Bush administration, said Section 301 is useful in taking on China. But it has drawbacks when it comes to dealing with the smaller countries that Trump has hammered with reciprocal tariffs.
"Undertaking dozens and dozens of 301 investigations of all of those countries is a laborious process,'' Veroneau said.
Targeting trade deficits
In striking down Trump's reciprocal tariffs in May, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the president couldn't use emergency powers to combat trade deficits.
That is partly because Congress had specifically given the White House limited authority to address the problem in another statute: Section 122, also of the Trade Act of 1974. That allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days in response to unbalanced trade. The administration doesn't even have to conduct an investigation beforehand.
But Section 122 authority has never been used to apply tariffs, and there is some uncertainty about how it would work.
Protecting national security
In both his terms, Trump has made aggressive use of his power - under Section 232 of Trade Expansion Act of 1962 - to impose tariffs on imports that he deems a threat to national security.
In 2018, he slapped tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum, levies he's expanded since returning to the White House. He also plastered Section 232 tariffs on autos, auto parts, copper, lumber.
In September, the president even levied Section 232 tariffs on kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and upholstered furniture. "Even though people might roll their eyes'' at the notion that imported furniture poses a threat to national security, Veroneau said, "it's difficult to get courts to second-guess a determination by a president on a national security matter.''
Section 232 tariffs are not limited by law but do require an investigation by the U.S. Commerce Department. It's the administration itself that does the investigating - also true for Section 301 cases - "so they have a lot of control over the outcome,'' Veroneau said.
Reviving Depression-era tariffs
Nearly a century ago, with the U.S. and world economies in collapse, Congress passed the Tariff Act of 1930, imposing hefty taxes on imports. Known as the Smoot-Hawley tariffs (for their congressional sponsors), these levies have been widely condemned by economists and historians for limiting world commerce and making the Great Depression worse. They also got a memorable pop culture shoutout in the 1986 movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off.''
Section 338 of the law authorizes the president to impose tariffs of up to 50% on imports from countries that have discriminated against U.S. businesses. No investigation is required, and there's no limit on how long the tariffs can stay in place.
Those tariffs have never been imposed - U.S. trade negotiators traditionally have favored Section 301 sanctions instead - though the United States used the threat of them as a bargaining chip in trade talks in the 1930s.
In September, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters that the administration was considering Section 338 as a Plan B if the Supreme Court ruled against Trump's use of emergency powers tariffs.
The Smoot-Hawley legislation has a bad reputation, Veroneau said, but Trump might find it appealing. "To be the first president to ever use it could have some cache.''
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: RBI has kept possibility of future rate cuts open Nepals PM Karki hints at possibility of conducting elections in two phases Mere Presence Reduces Possibility What Dream11 CEO said on layoffs possibility Bengals coach Zac Taylor leaves open the possibility of benching QB Jake Browning US tariffs on Indian goods reduced to 10% tariffs from 18% after USSC ruling Don’t use court for political battles The insider trading suspicions looming over Trump's presidency Will Trump's tariffs survive Supreme Court's 'major questions' test Trump says administration to seek expedited Supreme Court ruling on tariffs
Exclusive | Patralekhaa, Maanvi Gagroo’s Heer Sara Aur Pondicherry release postponed amid CBFC delay over title changeThe new title aims to improve audience connection, while the rebranding has complicated the certification process. May 22, 2026
2 hours ago
East Bengal FC roared back from a goal down to defeat Inter Kashi FC 2-1 and emerged the new Indian Super League champion. The triumph ended the Red and Gold Brigade’s 22-year wait for the country’s premier title. A remarkable counterattack saw Inter Kashi take the lead in the 15th minute
2 hours ago
Actress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt recently sent her fans into a nostalgic frenzy after she shared a major throwback picture with superstar Aamir Khan from one of their old photoshoots. The vintage pictures were clicked by celebrated photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha
2 hours ago
An Air France flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from the Congo boarded a flight in Paris “in error” amid flight restrictions tied to the Ebola outbreak, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. A spokesperson for the agency on Thursday (May 21
2 hours ago
Why has the US indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro?Why has the US indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro? Published on: May 22, 2026 9:31 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Sydney, After a week of speculation, the US Department of Justice has officially indicted Raul Castro
2 hours ago
The original NEET UG 2026 exam, conducted on May 3, was cancelled following the paper leak controversy that triggered nationwide outrage and a CBI investigation. The National Testing Agency (NTA) will now conduct the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on June 21 in offline pen-and-paper mode
2 hours ago
The Union home ministry has decided to continue deploying 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces in West Bengal till June 20 at the request of the state government, PTI reported. A company of the Central Armed Police Forces has about 100 to 150 personnel
2 hours ago
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has extended the deadline for students applying for scanned copies of Class 12 answer sheets after many reported technical issues on the official portal. Along with portal glitches and payment-related complaints
2 hours ago
Can Logitech MX Keys Mini and MX Master 4 for Mac supplant Apple’s Magic bundle?The answer is mostly a resounding affirmative, with configurability as well as rock solid architecture lending foundation for what is certainly lavish pricing. Published on: May 22
2 hours ago
‘A publicly listed Tata Sons would inevitably be accountable to institutional and foreign shareholders, whose primary focus would be financial returns,’ writes N A Soonawala. As regulatory pressure mounts on Tata Sons to go public, its former vice-chairman N A Soonawala has strongly argued
5 hours ago
‘Water shortage, lift issues’: Bengaluru resident lists 17 ‘nightmares’ faced within 1 year of flat ownershipThe homeowner, among other issues, alleged that they faced problems with the water supply, the lift, and power cuts. Published on: May 22
5 hours ago
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called off a signing ceremony Thursday for a new order on artificial intelligence because he worried it could dull America’s edge on AI technology. Trump said he was postponing the signing because he did not like what he saw in the order’s text
5 hours ago
Southampton's spying on rival clubs was authorised by head coach Tonda Eckert and was a "contrived and determined plan from the top down", an independent disciplinary commission ruled. The commission also said it was "deplorable" of the club to have used junior staff members to "conduct the
5 hours ago
What next after a fantastic finish?The time to start planning for next ISL season is now and yet, uncertainty is the only certainty in the top league Published on: May 22, 2026 8:00 AM IST By Dhiman Sarkar Share via Copy link One day before the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) ended
5 hours ago
Bengaluru founder shares video of electric pole bursting during heavy rain in Indiranagar: 'Electric wires go brrrr'Fresh evening showers lashed several parts of Bengaluru on Thursday. Updated on: May 21, 2026 10:53 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link A Bengaluru founder’s video showing
5 hours ago
Manipur police chief appointed security secretary at CentreThe Centre appoints Manipur police chief Rajiv Singh as Secretary (Security), overseeing VIP protection amid ongoing ethnic clashes in the state. Published on: May 22, 2026 7:14 AM IST By HT Correspondent Share via Copy link The Centre on
5 hours ago
India’s peak power demand hit a record high for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday amid a heatwave in several regions of the country, the Ministry of Power said. The ministry said that at 3.45 pm on Thursday, an energy demand of 270.8 gigawatts was recorded
5 hours ago
The X account of satirical political campaign Cockroach Janta Party was blocked in India “in response to a legal demand”. The social media campaign, which began on Saturday in response to comments made by Chief Justice Surya Kant, describes itself as a “political front of the youth
5 hours ago
The new Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal announced on Monday that it would scrap the state’s list of Other Backward Classes and reduce the OBC reservations of jobs in educational institutions and government jobs from 17% to 7%
5 hours ago
BRUSSELS, May 21 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google, Meta Platforms and TikTok were hit with complaints from European Union consumer groups on Thursday for allegedly failing to protect users from financial scams on their platforms, putting them at risk of regulatory fines.By Foo Yun CheeBRUSSELS
5 hours ago
Lupita Nyong’o reacts to backlash over playing Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey: ‘Criticism will exist’In Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, Lupita Nyong’o is set to portray Helen of Troy. May 22, 2026
5 hours ago
Indian rupee rebounds 61 paise to 96.25 after record low 96.95, as Donald Trump signals Iran talks near deal, crude prices ease but remain high, pressuring India forex reserves Indian rupee recovered 61 paise on Thursday to open at 96.25 against the US dollar. On Wednesday
5 hours ago
Don't take Bangladeshi infiltrators to courts, send them to BSF instead: Suvendu to Bengal policeAdhikari also said that a weekly report on the number of such detainees would have to be submitted to the Chief Minister's Office through the DGP. Updated on: May 22
5 hours ago
A US tarot reader predicts what Gemini Season 2026 could bring for each zodiac signAccording to US tarot reader, each zodiac sign has its own message to work with during this Gemini season. Published on: May 21, 2026 10:30 PM IST By Soumi Pyne Share via Copy link The Gemini season comes with fresh
5 hours ago
Hit Netflix show Emily in Paris is to end after its sixth season. The streaming giant announced on Thursday the next season of the romance comedy-drama starring Lily Collins will be its last. "Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, inspiring your dreams of travel and your love of Paris
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for May 22, 2026: An old face may return with a message your heart wasn't expectingLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 22, 2026 7:31 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Old emotions may quietly return today
5 hours ago
Whistler's Mother is one of the world's most recognisable artworks. Like a viral meme it has been reproduced endlessly, including a Donald Duck cartoon, a Simpsons episode, and Nabokov's Lolita. How and why did it become so famous? Whistler's Mother
5 hours ago
