On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7-4 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which Trump cited to issue his “Liberation Day” tariffs and tariffs aimed at Canada, Mexico, and China, does not grant the president the power to levy tariffs and ruled those tariffs unlawful. Trump denounced the ruling and promised to take the matter to the Supreme Court, which he did on Wednesday.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the nation’s highest court to take up the case and hear arguments in early November, arguing that the appeals court decision “casts a pall of uncertainty upon ongoing foreign negotiations that the President has been pursuing through tariffs over the past five months, jeopardizing both already negotiated framework deals and ongoing negotiations. The stakes in this case could not be higher.”
Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Liberty Justice Center, told the Associated Press that the organization welcomes a speedy hearing of the case.
“These unlawful tariffs are inflicting serious harm on small businesses and jeopardizing their survival. We hope for a prompt resolution of this case for our clients,” he said.
Trump argued in a Friday Truth Social post that until the case is heard in the Supreme Court, “ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT!” He denounced the “Highly Partisan Appeals Court,” which “incorrectly” ruled against him.
The president argued his case for tariffs and added, “If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America.”
TRUMP VOWS TO FIGHT TARIFF RULING ‘WITH THE HELP OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT’
“At the start of this Labor Day weekend, we should all remember that TARIFFS are the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products. For many years, Tariffs were allowed to be used against us by our uncaring and unwise Politicians. Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful Again!” he concluded.
Tariffs have been a central aspect of Trump’s diplomatic, economic, and trade strategies, so a ruling restricting their use would be a major blow to him.
