U.S. Court Blocks Trump’s Global Tariffs, Limits Use of Emergency Law

The U.S. Court of International Trade has blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to impose sweeping global tariffs under emergency authority, dealing a major legal blow to one of the administration’s most aggressive trade efforts. The court ruled that the president does not have the legal power to unilaterally impose such tariffs and that trade-related emergency actions must be authorized by Congress.

The decision came in response to multiple lawsuits from trade groups and legal experts who argued that the administration’s tariff agenda was arbitrary and triggered economic uncertainty. The court found that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the statute cited by Trump, was not designed to address structural trade deficits or authorize blanket tariffs on imports.

Trump had claimed that the U.S. trade deficit posed a national emergency, justifying his actions under IEEPA. However, the court rejected that interpretation, stating that the law was intended for specific threats—not broad economic policy. “IEEPA does not grant the executive authority to reshape trade relations at will,” the court wrote.

The ruling also invalidated retaliatory tariffs previously imposed on Mexico, Canada, and China. The administration had argued that these tariffs were necessary to combat drug trafficking across U.S. borders. However, the court said there was no clear link between the goods targeted by tariffs and the threats cited by the president, making the policy legally indefensible.

Although the ruling halts the tariffs from taking effect, the White House is expected to appeal. Legal analysts warn that overturning the decision would be difficult without new congressional legislation. Even if Trump turns to Congress, he may face resistance from pro-trade lawmakers, including Republicans, and from U.S. manufacturers concerned about higher costs and disrupted supply chains.