Trump’s Tariff Tangle: Courts Deliver Another Blow to Trade Policy
Well, folks, it seems like the legal battles around Donald Trump‘s trade policies just keep on coming. A federal appeals court, just yesterday, dropped a bit of a bombshell, ruling that a good chunk of the Trump tariffs are, get this, illegal. This isn’t just some minor hiccup; it’s a pretty big deal for his aggressive approach to trade and, frankly, a bit of a faceplant in court, as some are calling it [1].
This ruling marks the second time the administration has lost in this particular case, known as V.O.S. Selections v. Trump. The court’s main beef? They said the law Trump used, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), doesn’t actually give him the power to slap on these kinds of tariffs. Basically, they’re saying that the power to tax, which tariffs essentially are, belongs to Congress, not the President. It’s a fundamental constitutional thing, you know? Like, separation of powers and all that jazz.
Now, you can bet Trump news wouldn’t be complete without a strong reaction from the man himself. He quickly took to social media, calling the appeals court “Highly Partisan” and insisting the Supreme Court would side with him. He even went so far as to say that if these tariffs disappeared, it would be a “total disaster for the Country” and would “literally destroy the United States of America.” Strong words, as always. But the court’s decision is on hold until October 14th, giving his team a chance to appeal to the highest court in the land.
This whole situation highlights the ongoing debate about presidential authority and trade. Small businesses, for example, have been vocal about how these tariffs illegal actions have been “devastating” for them [2]. It’s not just about big corporations; it trickles down to the everyday guy trying to make a living. The court’s skepticism about the IEEPA’s application to tariffs has been pretty clear, with judges noting the law doesn’t even mention tariffs explicitly.
So, what’s next in this saga of tariff news? All eyes are on the Supreme Court. Will they uphold the appeals court’s decision, or will they give Donald.Trump the win he’s looking for? This is more than just a legal squabble; it’s about the future of American trade policy and the balance of power in Washington. Keep an eye on the trump news today for updates, because this story is far from over. What a mess, right?
External Links:
[1] MSNBC: Trump faceplants in court on tariff power grab
[2] The Guardian: Most of Trump’s tariffs are illegal, federal court rules