Trump’s Tariff Policy Declared Illegal by U.S. Appeals Court, Case to Move to Supreme Court

The U.S. Court of Appeals has declared most of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump as illegal. On Friday, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 7-4 ruling, a decision seen as a major blow to Trump’s trade policies and foreign relations.

The court stated that the imposition of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) is not lawful because the act does not grant the president authority over tariffs. The judges noted that imposing tariffs falls under Congress’s fundamental powers, and there is no precedent for giving the president unlimited authority in this regard.

Between 2017 and 2020, Trump had imposed “reciprocal” tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and several other countries, claiming that trade deficits posed a threat to U.S. national security. However, the court ruled that tariff imposition cannot be considered part of a national emergency declaration.

The ruling will take effect on October 14, but the White House can appeal to the Supreme Court before then. Trump responded to the decision on his own social media platform, Truth Social, calling the court’s ruling “political” and writing, “If this ruling stands, the United States will be destroyed.”

It is almost certain that the case will now move to the Supreme Court. Of the nine justices, six were appointed by Republican presidents, three of whom were nominated by Trump himself. Thus, political and legal balance could play a major role in the final decision.

Experts warn that if these tariffs are overturned, it could create new challenges for U.S. foreign trade and put many existing trade agreements under scrutiny.