US court deals fresh blow to Trump's 10% global tariff policy

A US Court of International Trade has ruled that President Donald Trump’s 10% global tariffs, imposed under a national emergency law in February, were unlawful. In a 2-1 decision, the court found that the administration lacked proper legal authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to enact these tariffs. The ruling specifically blocked the tariffs from being applied to the state of Washington and two private importers, but left the levies in place for other importers, declining to issue a universal injunction. The tariffs were introduced shortly after the Supreme Court struck down a broader set of double-digit tariffs Trump had levied on most nations in 2025. The court’s majority opinion described the tariffs as “invalid” and “unauthorized by law,” while the dissenting judge argued the president had more discretion and that it was premature to side with the plaintiffs. The challenge to the tariffs was brought by 24 states, primarily led by Democrats, but the court ruled these states lacked standing to seek a nationwide block. This decision adds to a series of legal setbacks for Trump’s tariff policies, which have faced significant opposition from states, businesses, and courts. Since the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling, over 330,000 importers may be eligible for refunds on tariffs that collected an estimated $166 billion in duties. The Trump administration has the option to appeal this latest ruling to the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and potentially the Supreme Court. In response to the court’s decision, Trump criticized the ruling, attributing it to “two radical left judges” and signaling his intent to pursue alternative approaches. The ongoing legal battles over tariffs underscore the challenges of implementing broad trade measures without clear congressional authorization, highlighting tensions between executive power and judicial oversight in US trade policy.