The United States' temporary 10% global tariff has officially expired, marking the end of the broad-based trade levy that had been in place since earlier this year.
However, the lapse does not signal a retreat from protectionist policy; instead, Washington is actively testing new legal frameworks to impose fresh tariffs on dozens of countries.
According to Swiss broadcaster SRF, President Donald Trump is leveraging these new legal grounds to maintain pressure on trading partners and secure revenue.
The administration's strategy appears to be shifting from the previous statutory basis, which faced significant legal headwinds, to alternative mechanisms that may withstand judicial scrutiny.
This development follows a setback for the White House in February 2026, when the US Supreme Court ruled against the administration's initial tariff approach.
The court's decision forced a recalibration of trade policy, leading to the current temporary measures that have now run their course.