US Appeals Court Questions Trump Emergency Tariff Authority

A U.S. federal appellate panel expressed strong skepticism about President Donald Trump's legal authority to impose sweeping emergency tariffs without congressional approval, specifically questioning his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977. During nearly two hours of oral arguments, judges repeatedly challenged the administration's claim that IEEPA grants the president broad tariff-setting powers, noting that the law does not explicitly mention tariffs and was originally designed to regulate economic transactions during national emergencies, not to impose taxes. The case consolidates challenges from business owners and Democratic state attorneys general who argue that Trump's justification—citing trade deficits as a national emergency—is insufficient under the statute. The oral arguments highlighted concerns that such unilateral tariff authority could represent an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to the executive. The court previously ruled unanimously that IEEPA does not authorize unlimited tariff powers, emphasizing the distinction between regulation and taxation. Despite the skepticism, the final outcome remains uncertain given the eleven-judge panel's diverse views.