Federal court blocks Trump’s sweeping tariffs, delivering major blow to trade agenda

A federal court on Wednesday struck down most of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, dealing a significant legal blow to the administration’s global trade agenda.

(CNN)- A federal court on Wednesday struck down most of President Trump’s sweeping tariffs, dealing a significant legal blow to the administration’s global trade agenda. The ruling blocks key components of the tariffs — including the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs announced in April, as well as duties imposed earlier this year on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada. Those measures were part of the administration’s effort to curb the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

President Trump implemented the tariffs unilaterally, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to bypass congressional approval. However, plaintiffs in the case argued the administration had overstepped its authority by stretching the interpretation of the law. Jeffrey Schwab, Senior Counsel and Director of Litigation at the Liberty Justice Center, said the court’s decision reinforces constitutional limits on presidential power.

“What it does is interpret the law — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act — and it says that that does not authorize the President to issue unlimited unilateral tariffs,” Schwab explained.

“The Constitution gives the power to tariff to Congress, not to the President. So that means there’s got to be some limit when Congress delegates that authority to the president.”

The court agreed, concluding that President Trump did not have the legal authority to impose the tariffs as he did.

The Trump administration immediately appealed the decision. In response, the White House issued a defiant statement, saying in part:“It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.”

The case now heads to the appeals court, and legal experts say it could eventually land before the U.S. Supreme Court.