WASHINGTON — A federal trade court delivered a blow to the Trump administration Thursday, declaring that worldwide tariffs implemented by the president violated federal law.
The Court of International Trade in New York issued a divided ruling, with two of three judges determining that 10% tariffs imposed globally were unlawful following legal action brought by small business owners.
In their majority opinion, two judges concluded that Trump exceeded the authority Congress granted to the executive branch regarding tariff implementation. They described the tariffs as “invalid” and “unauthorized by law.”
The dissenting judge believed federal law provides the president with broader discretion in tariff matters.
Legal experts anticipate the administration will challenge Thursday’s ruling, which would move the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington before potentially reaching the Supreme Court again.
The disputed tariffs were implemented as a temporary measure following the Supreme Court’s February decision that overturned more extensive tariffs the administration had placed on nearly all nations worldwide last year. These worldwide 10% tariffs, established under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, were scheduled to end on July 24.
