US Court Strikes Down Trump’s Global Tariffs, Cites Constitutional Overreach
In a landmark ruling on Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade declared former President Donald Trump’s global tariff orders illegal, blocking them from taking effect and dealing a major blow to his trade policy legacy.
The court held that Trump overstepped presidential authority by imposing blanket tariffs on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a law meant for emergencies, not broad trade restrictions.
Court: Only Congress Can Regulate Trade
In a statement, the three-judge panel ruled:
“The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President’s use of tariffs… That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it.”
They emphasized that the Constitution grants Congress—not the president—exclusive power to regulate international commerce.
Trump Administration to Appeal
Within minutes of the ruling, the Trump legal team filed a notice of appeal, signaling a potential battle all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The court also ordered the administration to issue new orders that comply with the injunction within 10 days.
Scope of the Ruling
The decision voids all tariff actions taken by Trump since January under the IEEPA statute. However, it does not affect industry-specific tariffs on goods like steel, aluminum, and automobiles, which were enacted under a different legal basis.
Background
The now-invalidated tariffs were part of Trump’s aggressive trade policy aimed at pressuring trading partners like China, the EU, and Canada. Critics, including lawmakers and business leaders, argued that the former president abused emergency powers to bypass Congress and ignite trade wars.
The Court of International Trade, based in Manhattan, handles legal disputes related to international commerce and customs. Its rulings can be appealed to the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., and eventually the Supreme Court.
Image Caption:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump at a rally. A federal court has struck down his global tariff orders, ruling they exceeded presidential authority.
Social Media Caption (X/Instagram/Facebook):
🚨 BREAKING:
A U.S. federal court has blocked Trump’s global tariffs, ruling them unconstitutional under trade law.
Trump overstepped his powers, judges say.
An appeal is underway.
#TrumpTariffs #USCourts #TradeWar #IEEPA #ConstitutionalLaw
