In a sharp rebuke to former President Donald Trump’s trade strategy, a US federal court has blocked the implementation of sweeping tariffs imposed during his administration, ruling that the executive branch overstepped its authority.
The Court of International Trade declared that the emergency law cited by the Trump White House does not grant the president unilateral power to impose tariffs on nearly every country. The ruling also halts separate levies that had been imposed on key trade partners including China, Mexico, and Canada.
The court’s decision stems from a lawsuit filed by five small US businesses that rely on imported goods. They argued that the tariffs had caused significant financial harm and were imposed without proper congressional oversight.
“This ruling is a landmark moment in reaffirming the balance of powers,” said legal counsel for the plaintiffs. “Presidential authority does not mean unchecked authority.”
The Trump administration, which had long defended the tariffs as essential to national security and economic competitiveness, quickly filed an appeal. In a strongly worded statement, it said: “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.”
The appeal means that, for now, the tariffs remain in place. “There will be no change at the border just yet,” noted business reporter Katie Silver, as the case now moves into what could be a lengthy appeals process.
The ruling is a significant legal and political development, casting uncertainty over a central component of Trump’s economic legacy and raising questions about future presidential use of emergency trade powers.
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