Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Upholds Trump’s Tariffs Amid Legal Battle

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that President Donald Trump‘s widespread tariffs on imports can remain in place for now, allowing the administration to continue collecting these import taxes during ongoing legal challenges.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted Trump’s request to temporarily pause a lower court’s judgment, which ruled that Trump’s tariffs, particularly those imposed on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada, were illegal. This lower court decision was made by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which found that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not provide Trump with the authority he claimed to impose such sweeping tariffs.

Trump officials have denounced the lower court’s ruling as an example of judicial overreach. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, “America cannot function if the president’s sensitive trade negotiations are railroaded by activist judges.” The administration argues that the tariffs are critical for national security and trade negotiations.

Trump has made tariffs a cornerstone of his economic policy, arguing they protect American industries and jobs. However, small businesses and many states have expressed concern, stating these measures lead to increased costs for consumers and business uncertainty.

The next legal hearing is set for June 5, where parties will present arguments regarding whether the case should continue to be paused as appeals proceed. Notably, tariffs on cars, steel, and aluminum remain unaffected, as they were enacted under different legal justifications.

Trade experts anticipate that Trump might utilize other legal frameworks to impose additional tariffs, despite ongoing judicial setbacks. The administration remains determined to use every available method to maintain its tariff strategies as discussions with trading partners continue.