US Federal Court Finds Trump's Tariffs On Imports Unconstitutional

• 29.05.2025, 11:02

The White House criticized the decision and announced an immediate appeal.

The United States Federal Court of International Trade has unanimously ruled that massive tariffs on imports imposed by President Donald Trump are illegal.

This is reported by Financial Times and Politico.

A three-judge panel ruled that the president exceeded his authority, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which, the court concluded, does not grant the head of state the right to impose trade duties on his own. Under the U.S. Constitution, that power is reserved exclusively to Congress.

"The Executive Orders on worldwide and mirror tariffs exceed any authority granted to the President," the decision said. The relevant documents were declared invalid.

The court blocked the previously imposed:

25% duty on imports from Canada and Mexico;

20% tariff on Chinese goods;

10% duty on imports from all U.S. trading partners.

The "reciprocal" tariffs (20-50%) on products from 60 countries, which were scheduled to take effect July 9, were also declared illegal.

The lawsuit was filed by 12 attorneys general, led by Oregon Representative Dan Rayfield, who said, "The Constitution does not give any president unlimited power to undermine the economy."

The White House criticized the ruling and announced an immediate appeal. A Trump administration spokesman said the president sought to "protect the American economy with every tool available."