A court in the US has ruled that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping tariffs.
A three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade halted Trump’s global tariffs, which he imposed citing extraordinary economic powers.
“The global agreements and corresponding tariffs exceed any authority granted to the president by IEEPA to regulate imports through tariffs,” the court said, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
Instead, the court said the U.S. Constitution gives Congress exclusive authority to regulate trade with other countries, and this is not superseded by the president’s power to protect the economy.
The court ruled in favour of a permanent injunction, potentially halting Trump’s global tariffs even before reaching “agreements” with most other trading partners. The court set 10 calendar days for administrative orders “to implement the permanent injunction.”
The Trump administration has already filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
On 2 April, Trump announced the imposition of duties on most of the United States’ trading partners.
On 9 April, the US president postponed for 90 days the imposition of duties on more than 75 countries. The administration of US President Donald Trump wants to conclude 90 trade agreements in 90 days.