Unelected judges have delivered a blow to President Donald Trump’s America First agenda by striking down his tariff strategy meant to protect American jobs and industries.
Specifically, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled against the president’s reciprocal tariffs, which targeted countries that took advantage of the United States through unfair trade practices.
The move now threatens to undermine President Trump’s constitutional authority to protect American economic interests.
The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled based on claims that tariffs exceeded legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The court’s decision directly challenges President Trump’s economic strategy designed to correct massive trade imbalances hurting American workers and communities.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the president’s actions, emphasizing that trade deficits represent a legitimate national emergency.
He stated:
“It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency. President Trump pledged to put America First, and the Administration is committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness.”
The ruling came from a panel including judges appointed by Presidents Reagan, Obama, and Trump, who unanimously decided against the administration’s use of emergency powers.
In April, President Trump imposed tariffs ranging from 11% to 84% on imports worldwide, later issuing a 90-day pause while maintaining a 10% baseline tariff.
The administration has already announced plans to appeal this decision, potentially taking the fight all the way to the Supreme Court.
President Trump’s tariffs were specifically designed to address America’s persistent trade deficits with countries like China, which continues to engage in predatory trade practices while flooding American markets with cheap goods.
The administration bypassed Congress by declaring a national economic emergency to protect American industries being decimated by foreign competition.
The court ordered the administration to stop collecting these tariffs, a decision celebrated by globalist interests and Democrat politicians who have consistently opposed President Trump.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who led one of the lawsuits against the tariffs, called the ruling “a victory for Americans.”
The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of small businesses and blue states that have consistently opposed the president’s America First trade policies.
Importantly, the ruling does not affect other existing tariffs on products like aluminum and steel, as those were justified under different legal authorities.
Trade expert Jack Slagle noted that while the ruling represents a setback for the administration, it might not end tariffs on imported goods completely.
The president maintains other legal pathways to protect American industries from unfair foreign competition.
The administration will likely pursue these options while the appeal process moves forward.
