A US federal trade court has ruled that former President Donald Trump acted unlawfully in attempting to enforce a 10% global tariff on imported goods, marking another major legal setback for his trade agenda.
The decision was delivered on Thursday by a three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade, which ruled 2-1 in favor of a coalition of small businesses challenging the measure. The judges stated that the presidential proclamation used to impose the tariffs was “invalid” and that the duties placed on the plaintiffs lacked legal authorization.
Trump introduced the revised tariff plan after the US Supreme Court earlier rejected a previous version of his import duty policy, dealing a rare blow to his administration’s aggressive trade strategy.
The court also approved a permanent injunction requested by the state of Washington along with the businesses involved in the lawsuit. In its majority opinion, the panel said preventing enforcement of the tariffs would better serve the public interest.
The White House did not immediately issue a response following the ruling. However, legal analysts expect the Trump administration to challenge the decision through an appeal in the coming days.
The case is being closely watched by businesses and international trade observers, as it could have significant implications for future presidential authority over tariff policies and global trade regulations.
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