A US trade court on Wednesday struck down former President Donald Trump’s proposal to introduce new tariffs, ruling that he had exceeded the limits of presidential authority. The Court of International Trade clarified that only Congress holds the constitutional power to manage international trade, and this cannot be overridden by the president’s emergency powers. “The court does not pass upon the wisdom or likely effectiveness of the President’s use of tariffs as leverage. That use is impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law] does not allow it,” stated the three-judge panel in its ruling.
Trump Administration Responds With Appeal
In response to the ruling, the Trump administration immediately filed a notice of appeal, challenging the court’s decision. The case may now move to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., and could potentially reach the Supreme Court.