Trump’s Legal Gambit on Tariffs Fails; Court Rules It an Overreach

Donald Trump’s legal gambit to use an emergency powers law to impose tariffs has failed. A federal appeals court has ruled that his actions were an illegal overreach, striking down the justification for a central component of his trade war.
The court determined that the former president’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) was improper. The judges found that a trade deficit does not constitute the kind of national emergency that Congress intended the law to address, and that the statute does not grant the president the power to set tariffs.
This ruling could unravel the complex web of informal trade deals that were a hallmark of Trump’s presidency. These agreements were often made under the threat of the now-illegal tariffs, and their legal standing is now highly questionable.
The case is now destined for the Supreme Court, which will have the final word on this clash between the executive and legislative branches. The decision will have a profound impact on the future of U.S. trade policy and the scope of presidential authority.