Trump Wins Tariff Reprieve: Appeals Court Grants Temporary Pause on Block

The Trump administration has achieved a temporary victory in its fight to maintain its broad tariff policies, as an appeals court has paused a lower court’s ruling that declared the tariffs illegal. This reprieve offers crucial breathing room for the White House as it prepares its appeal, potentially escalating the case to the Supreme Court. The initial ruling had cast a shadow over Trump’s ability to use tariffs as a primary tool in his economic agenda.
The Court of International Trade’s decision specifically stated that Trump’s tariff orders “exceed any authority granted to the president,” challenging his interpretation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court clarified that its judgment was on the legality of the tariffs’ application, not their economic wisdom or efficacy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has strongly criticized the judiciary, accusing judges of “brazenly abus[ing] their judicial power.” This ongoing legal battle underscores the significant constitutional questions surrounding presidential authority in matters of trade and national emergency.