A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated the most extensive tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, pausing a recent lower court ruling that had blocked them. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington said it would review the government’s appeal, setting deadlines for responses from both the plaintiffs and the administration in early June.
The tariffs, known as the Liberation Day tariffs, targeted imports from most U.S. trading partners, including additional duties on goods from Canada, Mexico, and China linked to accusations of facilitating fentanyl trafficking. The initial ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade had found that Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose these tariffs without congressional approval.
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Trump criticized the ruling on social media, calling it “horrible” and warning it threatened presidential power. Meanwhile, U.S. allies responded cautiously, with Canada supporting the ruling as consistent with its stance that the tariffs were unlawful. Financial markets showed tentative optimism but remained wary of the lengthy appeals ahead.
Certain tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles imposed on national security grounds remain unaffected by the legal challenge. The Liberty Justice Center, representing small businesses opposing the tariffs, called the appeals court’s stay a procedural move and expressed confidence that the tariffs would ultimately be overturned.
