He has at least five fallback options to impose tariffs in different ways. Section 232 gives the president power to use tariffs to regulate the import of goods on national security grounds. Other foreign goods Trump has hit with Section 232 tariffs in his second term include semi-finished and so-called derivative copper products. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974What it permits:Section 122 gives the president the ability to impose tariffs to address “fundamental international payments problems”. Previous uses:Section 338 has never been used before to impose tariffs.

Source: International New York Times February 20, 2026 17:36 UTC