WASHINGTON: A divided U.S. appeals court has declared that most of former President Donald Trump’s tariffs are unlawful, dealing a major blow to his trade-driven economic agenda. In a 7-4 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit said Trump overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which does not explicitly empower the president to impose tariffs.
The court allowed the levies to remain in place until October 14, giving the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court. Trump, who has made tariffs central to U.S. foreign and economic policy in his second term, blasted the judgment as partisan, warning on Truth Social that removing the tariffs would be a “total disaster.”
The decision covers Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs introduced in April, as well as duties against China, Canada, and Mexico imposed in February. Analysts say the case is now heading toward a historic Supreme Court showdown, potentially reshaping presidential powers over trade.
While Trump argues the tariffs are vital to counter trade deficits and drug inflows, critics insist only Congress holds the constitutional power to impose duties. The ruling has added fresh uncertainty to markets already rattled by Trump’s aggressive trade policies.
