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U.S. Treasury Secretary Confirms: 15% Global Tariff to Take Effect Within This Week

Multiple authoritative sources confirm that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent officially announced on March 4, 2026 (local time) that the U.S. will raise its global tariff rate on imported goods from the current 10% to 15%, with the new tariff measure highly likely to come into effect within this week.

Treasury Secretary’s Statement: This Week Is the Implementation Window

Bessent made the above remarks in an interview with CNBC. When asked about the specific implementation timeline for the 15% global tariff, he explicitly stated: “That’s likely sometime this week.” This statement is widely viewed by the market as an official signal that the U.S. government is about to launch a new round of tariff adjustments.

Legal Background of the Policy Adjustment

This tariff hike is not an impromptu decision but a continuation of the Trump administration’s policy response to legal challenges.

On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s previous tariff imposition under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) exceeded its authority. To address this ruling, the administration immediately adjusted its strategy, switching to implement a 10% temporary global tariff for 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Within this legal framework, Trump subsequently proposed a plan to further raise the tariff rate to 15%. Bessent’s latest statement essentially clarifies the specific execution timeline for this plan.

Future Outlook: A More Robust Tariff Regime Is Being Built

During the interview, Bessent also revealed the U.S. government’s long-term tariff planning. He expects U.S. tariff rates to return to the higher levels that existed before the Supreme Court ruling within five months (around August 2026).

To achieve this goal, the administration plans to activate multiple legal tools during this period, including:

Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962

By utilizing the above legal provisions, the U.S. government aims to establish a long-term tariff regime with a “more robust” legal foundation, ensuring the sustainability and legitimacy of future tariff policies.

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