The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled that Donald Trump’s global tariff actions are unlawful, Kallanish learns. The decision was issued on 29 August.
In a 7-4 ruling, the court upheld a lower court’s finding that Trump’s measures were “invalid as contrary to law”. The majority found that Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act does not give a president authority to unilaterally impose or revise tariffs. The court also ruled that neither trade deficits nor the opioid crisis constitute a national emergency that would allow sweeping tariffs to be imposed.
The judgment, however, does not take effect immediately. Enforcement has been delayed until 14 October to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The ruling marks a major setback for Trump’s tariff strategy.
Trump responded within hours in a lengthy Truth Social post. “ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT!” he wrote, calling the court “highly partisan” and warning that removing tariffs would be “a total disaster for the Country”. He added that the decision would “literally destroy the United States of America,” insisting tariffs are “the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products.”
Margie Palmer USA
