A US federal appeals court ruled in a 7-4 decision that former President Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed broad tariffs using emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court noted that Congress did not intend to grant the president unlimited tariff-making power AP News
The ruling upheld a May decision by the US Court of International Trade, affirming that the IEEPA does not include authority to levy tariffs or duties
Tariffs remain active while legal battle continues
Despite finding the tariffs illegal, the court temporarily allowed them to stay in place until mid-October to allow the Trump administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court
Trump pushes back, promises Supreme Court reversal
Trump responded defiantly, stating that overturning the tariffs would “literally destroy the United States of America,” and vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court. The White House called the decision “partisan” and maintained that Trump had acted lawfully
Implications for presidential trade powers
The ruling significantly limits the president’s ability to unilaterally alter trade policy under emergency declarations. Legal experts and lawmakers see this as a reclaiming of congressional authority in trade regulation
Business groups and consumer advocates welcomed the decision as a step toward reversing unpredictable tariff policy and restoring legislative oversight
