U.S. Court Temporarily Reinstates Trump-Era Tariffs Pending Final Ruling

A U.S. appeals court has temporarily lifted a ban on trade tariffs introduced by former President Donald Trump, allowing the tariffs to take effect again — at least while the case is under review.

The original ban was imposed by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which ruled that Trump’s actions violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977.

Judges had concluded that the tariffs were imposed under the pretext of addressing “threats” such as drug trafficking and illegal immigration — threats that, according to the court, lacked sufficient connection to the economic conditions or trade imbalances cited by the White House.

Specifically, the court deemed tariffs targeting China, Canada, and Mexico unlawful, arguing that their objectives did not meet the legal standards required. The ruling questioned the president’s authority to bypass Congress when imposing such economic measures.

The Trump administration immediately appealed, calling the ban “erroneous and politically motivated.” The appeals court has now agreed to temporarily lift the ban, while emphasizing that this is not a final decision.

The White House described the move as a “positive step” for American manufacturers and workers. If the decision is not overturned on appeal, the administration said it is prepared to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.