Court ruling threatens future of Trump's tariffs

September 1, 2025 (PEN) In a legal move that could reshape US trade policy, a federal appeals court ruled that most of the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump during his presidency were unlawful, holding that the emergency powers he invoked did not allow him to impose such broad tariffs, which is the exclusive prerogative of Congress.

Although the decision marked a victory for opponents of Trump's trade policies, the court postponed its ruling until mid-October, allowing the US administration to appeal it to the Supreme Court.

For his part, President Trump described the ruling as "an incorrect and populist decision," asserting that tariffs will remain a sovereign tool to defend America's interests, and vowing to wage a new legal battle before the Supreme Court.

The crisis stems from the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on imports from more than 90 countries, ostensibly to protect American manufacturing and bring jobs back home. However, opponents argue that the tariffs have harmed American consumers, raised production costs, and led to widespread trade tensions, particularly with China and the European Union.

Legally, the ruling is seen as limiting the president's power to use the Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, strengthening Congress's role in trade policy.

From an economic perspective, the temporary continuation of tariffs ensures market stability in the short term, but their fate after October may determine the direction of international investment and trade.