US court rules Trump tariffs illegal still allowed
A US federal appeals court declared former President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping global tariffs under emergency powers. The court ruled most duties unlawful but allowed them to remain in effect until mid-October, giving the Supreme Court time to review the case and decide their fate.
A major legal setback has hit former US President Donald Trump’s trade policies, as a federal appeals court ruled on Friday that his use of emergency powers to impose sweeping global tariffs was unlawful. emergency economic powers when he levied tariffs worth billions of dollars.
This decision temporarily shields the government from having to repay billions in duties collected from importers and businesses that have long complained about the burden of Trump’s trade war policies.
The ruling upheld an earlier decision by a lower court, which had also found Trump’s actions unlawful. At the heart of the matter is the question of how far a president’s authority can stretch under emergency powers—an issue that could set a far-reaching precedent for future administrations. Legal experts say the outcome of this case will not just shape trade policy but could also redefine the limits of executive authority.
Trump, never one to shy away from a fight, wasted little time in responding. Taking to Truth Social, his social media platform, the former president doubled down on his stance. He further vowed to challenge the ruling at the highest level, promising to appeal “with the help of the United States Supreme Court.”
For American businesses, the decision is a mix of relief and uncertainty. On one hand, the acknowledgment that the tariffs were imposed unlawfully validates years of criticism from companies who said the duties raised costs and disrupted supply chains. On the other hand, the fact that the tariffs remain in effect for now prolongs the uncertainty for industries already grappling with global economic headwinds.
As the case heads toward the Supreme Court, the coming months could prove pivotal. The judgment will not only test Trump’s legacy on trade but also raise deeper questions about presidential power and its limits in times of economic crisis.