Former US President Donald Trump has received temporary relief after a federal appeals court issued a stay on a lower court ruling that had barred him from imposing tariffs on foreign countries. The appeals court’s decision permits the continuation of tariff collections while the legal proceedings continue. The Trump administration had immediately appealed the initial ruling, arguing that suspending the tariffs could compromise national security.
The Court of International Trade in Manhattan had earlier ruled that Trump had overstepped his executive authority by unilaterally imposing high tariffs on certain countries. The ruling referenced the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which restricts the use of executive powers in managing international trade and reserves such powers for Congress under the US Constitution.
The three-judge panel emphasized that the authority to regulate foreign trade lies primarily with the US Congress, not the President. The case arose in the context of trade disputes involving countries such as China. The court determined that Trump’s decisions went beyond the bounds of authority granted to a US president.
In response, the Trump administration defended its actions, stating that addressing a national emergency should not be determined by unelected judges. The White House emphasized that the administration is committed to using every aspect of executive power to restore American economic strength and maintain national security. Trump had campaigned on a promise to put “America First” and reform what he described as unfair international trade practices.
