Court Strikes Down Trump's 10% Universal Tariffs as Illegal
The Court of International Trade ruled Thursday that President Trump's newest round of tariffs were illegal, though duties will continue collecting for most importers while the administration appeals the decision.
Legal Ruling
The Court of International Trade on Thursday ruled that President Trump's newest round of tariffs were illegal — but the duties will keep collecting for most importers while the administration appeals. It is yet another legal setback for the White House's trade policy — this time ruling against the suite of tariffs that officials imposed to replace those struck down by the Supreme Court.
Administrative Context
The ruling represents another challenge to the Trump administration's aggressive trade policy agenda. Earlier Supreme Court decisions struck down previous iterations of Trump's tariff strategy, forcing the administration to develop new approaches that have themselves now been ruled unlawful by the Court of International Trade.
Ongoing Collection
Despite the legal determination of illegality, the tariffs remain in effect for most importers as the administration pursues its appeal. This creates an unusual situation where importers continue paying duties deemed unlawful while the case proceeds through the appeals process.
Broader Trade War Context
The ruling underscores the continued legal challenges facing Trump's trade policy as the administration attempts to implement protectionist measures. The decision signals potential complications for future tariff attempts and may influence how the administration structures trade negotiations with major partners including China.