Court upholds Trump tariffs: Judiciary decision backs trade levies instituted by administration
Fresh Take:
Donald Trump's tariffs, earlier deemed invalid by a US court, have been temporarily saved by the federal appeals court - quite a turnaround just a day after the verdict!
The latest judgment comes hot on the heels of a lesser-known court, the US Court of International Trade, determining that Trump's tariffs imposed on China, Canada, and Mexico were an excess of presidential power.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, the resilient ex-president expressed his relief, stating: "Thanks to the full 11-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Court, the order by the Manhattan-based Court of International Trade has been stayed."
He continued his critique, questioning the judges' lineage and their potential impact on the nation, saying, "Where do these initial three judges come from? How is it possible for them to potentially harm the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of 'TRUMP?' What other reason could it be?"
InTrumpian fashion, he further commented, "I hope the Supreme Court will reverse this detrimental decision swiftly and decisively."
The Tussle of Powers
Prior to this legal twist, the Trump Administration voiced strong opposition to the ruling from the Manhattan-based court.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt spoke out on Thursday, stating, "America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president, for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations manipulated by activist judges."
On Wednesday, the court had ruled, "The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tariff Orders exceed any authority granted to the President ... to regulate importation by means of tariffs."
The initial ruling, announced earlier in the week, related to tariffs introduced as part of Trump's acclaimed 'Liberation Day' collection of trade levies, which initiated with a quirky assortment of national tariff levels but culminated in a more uniform 10% rate[5].
While Trump's stance towards the UK trade policy has demonstrated consistency - at 10% - he stirred uncertainty in European markets last week by declaring that he was recommending a staggering 50% tariffs on all EU imports into the US[6].
The countdown to July 8th continues, marking the expiry date of the 90-day pause on increased tariffs, which would escalate the ongoing trade dispute.
Notable Context:- Some experts interpret the federal court's ruling as a check on executive power, ensuring that presidents cannot unilaterally impose tariffs without proper authorization[1].- Trump's abrupt announcement of potential 50% tariffs on the EU was met with swift backlash, causing uncertainty for the European markets[2].- The legal battle over Trump's tariffs is ongoing, with the potential for further appeals and potentially even reaching the Supreme Court[1].- The International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) is a U.S. law that grants the President authority to regulate international trade in times of national emergencies[3]. However, recent court rulings suggest that IEEPA does not provide "unbounded authority" to the president to impose tariffs without a direct connection to the national emergency declared[1][3].
- The temporary reprieve of Donald Trump's tariffs by the federal appeals court could influence the ongoing debate about policy-and-legislation and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches, as some experts view this as a check on executive power.
- The markets, particularly in Europe, are grappling with uncertainty due to recent political news such as Trump's threat to impose 50% tariffs on EU imports, potentially impacting the economy and general-news narratives.
- The legal battle surrounding Trump's tariffs, stemming from questions of presidential authority in matters of war-and-conflicts, trade, and crime-and-justice, could extend to the Supreme Court, possibly leading to significant shifts in policy and legislation.
