US Trade Court Blocks Trump’s Sweeping Tariffs
- The New York Editorial Desk - Arif
- May 29
- 2 min read
Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning
Why: The article emphasizes constitutional checks on executive power and includes critical reactions from Democratic officials, reflecting a moderate left-leaning perspective.
Court Ruling Limits Presidential Tariff Powers
A U.S. federal court has blocked President Donald Trump’s broad trade tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his authority by imposing them unilaterally.
The Court of International Trade determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president the power to impose widespread tariffs without congressional approval.
The court emphasized that the U.S. Constitution assigns the regulation of foreign commerce exclusively to Congress.
Legal Challenges from Businesses and States
Two separate lawsuits led to the court's decision:
The Liberty Justice Center represented small businesses affected by the tariffs.
A coalition of 12 U.S. states also challenged the tariffs, arguing they were unconstitutional.
The court's ruling invalidated tariffs imposed on numerous countries, including China, Mexico, and Canada. However, tariffs on specific goods like cars, steel, and aluminum, enacted under different legislation, remain unaffected.
Mixed Reactions to the Decision
The White House criticized the ruling, with Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai stating, “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James welcomed the decision, asserting that no president has the authority to unilaterally raise taxes.
Following the ruling, stock markets in Asia and the U.S. experienced gains, while European markets remained steady.
Potential Next Steps and Implications
The White House has 10 days to comply with the court's order to halt the tariffs, but is seeking to delay this pending an appeal. The case may progress to the Supreme Court.
Even if the appeal fails, the administration could consider other legal avenues:
Imposing temporary tariffs under the IEEPA, limited to 15% for 150 days.
Utilizing provisions from a 1930 trade law to impose tariffs up to 50% on imports from countries that discriminate against the U.S.
Impact on International Trade Agreements
The ruling raises questions about existing and pending trade agreements:
A recent U.S.-UK deal aimed at reducing tariffs on certain goods remains unaffected for now.
However, the broader 10% tariff on most UK goods entering the U.S. is now under scrutiny.
The UK government has not commented on the ruling but is working to implement the trade deal promptly. This decision marks a significant check on presidential authority over trade policy, emphasizing the constitutional role of Congress in regulating commerce with foreign nations.
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