A divided U.S. appeals court on Friday ruled that most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs are unlawful, dealing a major blow to one of his signature economic policy tools. The court, however, allowed the duties to remain in place until October 14, giving the administration time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The ruling threatens a central pillar of Trump’s second-term economic agenda, which has relied heavily on tariffs as both a trade and foreign policy weapon. Trump has imposed levies on a wide range of imports, arguing they provide leverage in renegotiating trade deals and pressuring foreign governments.
However, critics argue that the tariffs have increased costs for U.S. businesses and consumers, while introducing volatility into financial markets. The appeals court decision raises fresh uncertainty about the durability of Trump’s broader economic strategy.
Trump Responds
Trump condemned the ruling as politically motivated, writing on Truth Social:
“If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country.”
He expressed confidence in a reversal, predicting the Supreme Court would uphold the tariffs and ensure they “benefit the country.”
Looming Supreme Court Showdown
The case could now join another high-stakes legal fight headed toward the Supreme Court over the independence of the Federal Reserve, setting up what analysts describe as an unprecedented legal test of Trump’s economic policy framework. For now, tariffs remain intact, but the possibility of a legal rollback has heightened uncertainty for markets, businesses, and U.S. trading partners, all of whom have adapted strategies to navigate the Trump administration’s aggressive use of trade barriers.
–Input WAM
