A US appeals court has ruled that most Trump-era tariffs are illegal, challenging a key focus keyphrase of his economic policy.
WASHINGTON: A divided US federal appeals court ruled on Friday that the majority of tariffs introduced under former President Donald Trump are unlawful. These tariffs, a central part of Trump’s international economic strategy, now face legal uncertainty unless the Supreme Court intervenes.
The ruling, reported by Reuters, allows the tariffs to remain in effect until 14 October, giving the Trump legal team time to appeal. The case could now escalate to the US Supreme Court, setting the stage for a significant legal debate over the former president’s economic decisions.
Throughout his presidency and campaign period, Trump positioned tariffs as a tool to reshape foreign policy and strengthen trade negotiations. While these levies provided leverage against global trading partners, they also stirred volatility in global financial markets.
The legal decision arrives amid another Supreme Court-bound challenge over the Federal Reserve’s independence, indicating mounting judicial scrutiny over the former president’s economic framework.
Reacting to the ruling, Trump criticised the court on Truth Social, calling it “highly partisan” and warning that removing the tariffs could lead to economic instability. He, however, remained optimistic, suggesting that the Supreme Court would uphold the measures.
