US appeals court rules parts of Trump’s tariffs illegal

A federal appeals court in Washington has ruled that much of Donald Trump’s tariff policy was unlawful.

As The Guardian reports, the judges concluded that the former US president exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs against dozens of countries.

The decision stated that while the law does grant the president the power to act in cases of emergency, that authority does not extend to the introduction of tariffs, duties, or taxes. The court stressed that Trump’s tariffs were “unbounded in scope, amount and duration” and effectively went beyond the limits set out in the statute.

Commenting on the ruling, Trump said: “If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America.” He argued that tariffs remain “the best tool” to protect jobs and support American businesses.

In August, new import tariffs imposed by Trump came into effect. They targeted goods from 65 countries: a 15% rate for 39 nations and the EU, and rates ranging from 18% to 41% for the remaining 26.