Overnight three federal judges on the United States Court of International Trade ruled that Donald Trump’s worldwide tariffs are unlawful and blocked them from going into effect. A group of businesses had taken the President’s administration to court, successfully arguing that the tariffs announced on ‘Liberation Day’ were beyond the powers of the presidency.
The ruling made clear that the US Congress has sole authority on passing legislation affecting cross-border trade. The White House immediately appealed and argued that the court does not have the right to rule on the matter.
The effect of the ruling will be to dismantle the entire tariff regime announced on Liberation Day
The effect of the ruling will be to dismantle the entire tariff regime announced on Liberation Day, with import duties only remaining on steel, aluminium and cars, returning tariffs to the position they were in at the beginning of March. Businesses that have already paid tariffs may be entitled to compensation payments too, if the judgment is not overturned through the appeals process.
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