Court Ruling Hits Trump Tariffs

A federal appeals court has ruled that Donald Trump cannot use emergency economic powers to impose broad import tariffs, dealing a major setback to his trade agenda.

For years, Trump relied on tariffs to pressure foreign leaders and raise revenue, calling them central to his plan to “make America rich, strong, and powerful again.” But the court decided that only Congress has the authority to tax imports, not the president.

The Justice Department plans to appeal to the Supreme Court, and tariffs will remain in place during the process. Still, experts say the ruling could severely limit Trump’s ability to use tariffs as a political and economic weapon.

Industry-specific tariffs on steel, aluminum, and autos remain in effect, but the broader country-by-country duties are now in jeopardy. The decision could reshape U.S. trade policy and weaken one of Trump’s key strategies moving forward.

Source: The Washington Post