A US appeals court has temporarily supported Donald Trump’s tariff plan. This came just one day after a lower court ruled the tariffs were illegal.
Court Allows Tariffs to Continue
On Thursday, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an administrative stay. As a result, the government can keep collecting tariffs on imported goods. These duties are part of Trump’s broader plan to reshape US trade relations.
Earlier, the Court of International Trade gave the White House ten days to stop collecting those tariffs. However, the appeals court’s decision paused that order.
Navarro Says Talks Are Still Ongoing
After the ruling, Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro spoke to reporters. He said the administration had received “plenty of phone calls from countries” who were ready to “negotiate in good faith.” However, he did not name those countries.
Officials Slam Lower Court Ruling
Meanwhile, government officials strongly criticized the trade court’s decision. They called it judicial overreach. In its appeal to the Supreme Court, the administration argued, “The political branches, not courts, make foreign policy and chart economic policy.”
In addition, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s authority. She said, “America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president, for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges.” She also insisted, “The Supreme Court must put an end” to the case. Moreover, she added that Trump still had other legal tools to impose tariffs.
Court Questions Trump’s Power
At the same time, the trade court reviewed two lawsuits. These were filed by businesses and state governments. They argued that Trump had wrongly used powers that belong to Congress.
Specifically, the judges examined the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). They asked if this law gives the president authority to “impose unlimited tariffs on goods from nearly every country in the world.” In their view, such a reading of the law “is unconstitutional.”
Tariff Battle Could Continue
Finally, experts from Capital Economics in London weighed in. They said the case could go to the Supreme Court. However, they believe the fight over tariffs will likely continue—even after a final ruling.
