Appeals Court Strikes Down Trump’s Wide-Ranging Tariffs

President Donald J. Trump pushed back hard on Friday night after a federal appeals court struck down much of his tariff authority, declaring that the economic measures will remain in place as his administration prepares to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT!” Trump wrote on Truth Social in a late-night post.

“Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end. If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong.”

The President doubled down on his America First economic agenda, warning that without tariffs, the U.S. would return to the days of devastating trade imbalances that crushed American workers.

“The U.S.A. will no longer tolerate enormous Trade Deficits and unfair Tariffs and Non Tariff Trade Barriers imposed by other Countries, friend or foe, that undermine our Manufacturers, Farmers, and everyone else. If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America,” Trump declared.

He added: “At the start of this Labor Day weekend, we should all remember that TARIFFS are the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products. For many years, Tariffs were allowed to be used against us by our uncaring and unwise Politicians. Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful.”

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that Trump exceeded statutory authority by imposing broad emergency tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, the court did not immediately remove the tariffs, allowing time for Trump’s administration to appeal.

The legal fight stems from two sets of tariffs President Trump imposed:

• On April 2 (“Liberation Day”), he ordered reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on countries running trade surpluses with the U.S., along with a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all imports.
• On February 1, he announced “trafficking tariffs” on Canada, China, and Mexico, citing drugs and illegal immigration as national emergencies.

The trade court initially ruled that such actions did not meet the “unusual and extraordinary threats” requirement under IEEPA, asserting that Congress — not the president — holds constitutional tariff authority. Yet over decades, lawmakers have ceded this power to the executive branch, enabling presidents to act decisively in times of crisis.

Trump has long argued his authority mirrors Richard Nixon’s 1971 move to impose tariffs during the collapse of the Bretton Woods system. Critics, however, have challenged the scope of that power.

Despite the ruling, the tariffs — which have delivered $142 billion in revenue by July, more than double the previous year — remain intact while the Supreme Court considers the case.

The Justice Department has warned that revoking the tariffs could trigger “financial ruin” for the United States. Trump has gone even further, cautioning in a prior Truth Social post: “It would be 1929 all over again, a GREAT DEPRESSION!”

For Trump and his America First allies, the fight is not just about trade policy — it’s about preserving U.S. sovereignty, protecting domestic workers, and ensuring that Washington never again bows to foreign powers at the expense of the American people.