US Appeals Court Rules Most Trump Tariffs Illegal, but Keeps Them in Place Pending Appeal

NEW YORK — A divided U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that most of Donald Trump’s tariffs are unlawful, striking at the heart of a central pillar of his economic and foreign policy.

In a 7-4 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found that Trump overstepped his authority when imposing “reciprocal” tariffs earlier this year, as well as additional levies on China, Canada, and Mexico in February. However, the court allowed the tariffs to remain in effect until October 14 to give the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The ruling, driven largely by Democratic-appointed judges, does not affect tariffs enacted under other statutes, including those on steel and aluminum imports.

Tariffs have been a cornerstone of Trump’s second-term strategy, used to pressure trading partners and reshape international deals. Supporters credit the measures with forcing concessions, while critics blame them for market instability.

Reacting on Truth Social, Trump denounced the decision from what he called a “highly partisan” court and warned that removing tariffs would be “a total disaster for the Country.” He predicted, however, that the Supreme Court would reverse the ruling, insisting tariffs would continue to strengthen the U.S. economy.

The case now joins a separate brewing battle over the Federal Reserve’s independence, setting up what could be a sweeping Supreme Court showdown over Trump’s economic agenda.