Federal Appeals Court Rules Most Trump Tariffs Illegal, Allows Temporary Continuation

A federal appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump did not have the legal authority to impose broad tariffs using national emergency powers, declaring that such sweeping tariff measures are a core power reserved for Congress. The ruling, which upheld a lower court decision, found that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president unlimited authority to impose tariffs, and the tariffs imposed on countries including Canada, Mexico, and China were therefore illegal. However, the court paused the ruling's effect until October 14 to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a high-profile legal battle over presidential trade powers. The decision was welcomed by small businesses and trade groups who argued that the tariffs caused significant uncertainty and harm to supply chains. Trump has cited various national emergencies as justification for the tariffs, but the court emphasized that Congress holds the exclusive constitutional power to impose taxes and tariffs. This ruling challenges a central pillar of Trump's protectionist trade agenda and raises questions about the limits of presidential authority in shaping U.S. trade policy.