Federal Court Grants Temporary Pause on Trump's Tariff Ruling

A federal appeals court has temporarily suspended a lower court’s ruling that struck down most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision, issued Wednesday, was paused by the appeals court to allow further review of the case. The Trump administration, seeking to preserve its trade policies, had warned it would pursue “emergency relief” from the Supreme Court if the ruling wasn’t quickly stayed. This pause provides the administration time to argue for a longer suspension during the appeals process.

The trade court’s ruling challenged a key component of Trump’s economic strategy, which relies heavily on tariffs to reshape global trade. The decision invalidated Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, deeming the law insufficient to grant such extensive presidential authority. The nationwide block not only halted these tariffs but also prohibited future modifications. Trump called the ruling a severe blow to presidential power, warning it could fundamentally alter the presidency and weaken U.S. trade negotiations globally.

The administration swiftly appealed and requested a stay on the ruling’s enforcement. The appeals court has given plaintiffs, including state attorneys general and businesses, until early June to respond, with the government’s reply due by June 9. Both sides anticipate the case may escalate to the Supreme Court. Trump expressed hope for a swift reversal, while plaintiffs’ attorney Jeffrey Schwab remains confident the tariffs’ harm will lead the Federal Circuit to uphold the lower court’s decision.