Donald Trump considers new tariffs on batteries, chemicals, telecom gear, reports Wall Street Journal

President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump is weighing a fresh set of national security tariffs targeting roughly half a dozen sectors, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Monday. The move comes days after the Supreme Court ruled that a large portion of his earlier tariff measures were unlawful.

The proposed duties are expected to focus on industries including large-scale batteries, cast iron and iron fittings, plastic pipes, industrial chemicals, as well as equipment used in power grids and telecommunications, the report said, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

These measures would be implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to levy tariffs on imports deemed a threat to national security. The planned actions would be separate from the additional tariffs Trump unveiled following last week's court ruling. After the decision, he announced a 15% global tariff that can remain in place for up to 150 days without congressional approval.

Trump has previously invoked Section 232 to impose duties on products such as steel, aluminum, copper and auto parts. Those tariffs remain intact and were not affected by the Supreme Court's judgment.

In the broader market reaction, Asia-Pacific stocks were mixed on Tuesday as investors assessed the renewed tariff rhetoric from Trump alongside concerns that advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt software businesses.

On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that countries attempting to "play games" with the Supreme Court's ruling would face significantly higher tariffs. His remarks followed the court's decision to invalidate tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. In response, Trump said he would introduce a 15% worldwide tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.