
A U.S. appeals court allowed Trumpโs broad tariffs to remain in place during an ongoing legal challenge.
The case, centered on Trumpโs use of emergency powers, will be fast-tracked for a summer ruling.
Businesses face ongoing uncertainty as Trump pushes to reshape U.S. trade with aggressive tariff policies.
President Donald Trumpโs trade policies just got a temporary boost. A federal appeals court has ruled that his broad tariffs can stay in place while legal challenges continue, setting the stage for a key decision later this summer.
Itโs a major development in Trumpโs aggressive economic agenda and itโs already stirring debate over presidential powers, legal boundaries, and what this means for U.S. businesses and global trade.
Court Grants a Stay and Speeds Up the Case
The ruling follows a previous decision from the Court of International Trade, which said Trump overstepped his authority by using a national emergency to impose tariffs across the board.
But now, the appeals court has paused that ruling. It acknowledged โsubstantial argumentsโ from both sides and agreed to keep the tariffs in place for now. At the same time, the court said the issue is important enough to fast-track a full review, with a decision expected by the end of summer.
Tariffs Tied to National Emergency Powers
The tariffs at the heart of this legal fight were enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump used that law to introduce a 10% universal tariff, so-called reciprocal tariffs, and targeted taxes on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China.
His reasoning? These countries, according to the administration, have played a role in illegal immigration and fentanyl trafficking into the U.S.
While the courts consider whether this approach is legal, the tariffs will remain in effect.
Reactions Divided: Critics Disappointed, White House Pleased
The decision drew mixed reactions.
Plaintiff attorney Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, called the ruling โunfortunateโ but said the fast-tracked timeline offers hope for a final resolution soon.
The White House welcomed the move. Spokesperson Kush Desai said the administration is lawfully using executive powers to respond to national emergencies like trade imbalances and drug smuggling.
Trump also chimed in on Truth Social, calling the courtโs ruling โa great and important win for the U.S.โ
Earlier Tariffs Not Affected by This Ruling
Importantly, this ruling does not affect Trumpโs earlier tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars, and car parts. Those were enacted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which gives the president authority to impose tariffs on national security grounds.
That law is separate from IEEPA and remains untouched in this case.
Uncertainty for Businesses
Even with the legal win, U.S. companies are still facing major uncertainty. Trump has often changed tariff policies quickly – imposing, pausing, or adjusting them with little warning. Thatโs made it difficult for businesses and consumers to plan for rising import costs.
JPMorgan economists say if the IEEPA tariffs are removed, the average U.S. tariff rate would drop from 13โ14% down to 5%. Still, thatโs double what it was in 2024 – showing how much has changed since Trump returned to office.
What Comes Next? Leaders Are Watching
Trump continues to urge companies to move production back to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. But doing that takes time, often years, and huge investments.
With a final decision expected by summerโs end, the outcome of this legal fight could shape the next phase of Trumpโs trade policy and determine how global businesses move forward in the U.S. market.
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FAQs
A federal court allowed Trump’s tariffs to remain while legal challenges over his use of emergency powers continue.
Yes, tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act remain unaffected by this court ruling.
The ruling keeps uncertainty high, making it hard for businesses to plan due to sudden tariff changes.
A final ruling is expected by the end of summer 2025, following a fast-tracked appeals process.