US Federal Court Blocks Most Trump Tariffs as Illegal

A federal court ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), declaring many of his tariffs illegal. The U.S. Court of International Trade found that the 1977 law, primarily designed for embargoes and sanctions, does not grant the president unlimited power to impose tariffs, striking down levies on goods from multiple countries including China, Canada, and Mexico. This ruling represents a major setback for Trump's use of tariffs as a strategic tool to negotiate favorable trade agreements and has been welcomed by investors and some state officials as beneficial for working families. The White House criticized the decision as judicial overreach, calling it a threat to addressing what it terms a national emergency caused by trade deficits, and announced plans to appeal the ruling. While the court ruling invalidates many emergency tariffs, tariffs imposed under other laws, such as on steel and aluminum, remain unaffected. The legal battle is expected to continue, with the administration exploring other avenues to maintain its trade policies.