Late last month, a split US appeals court made a shocking ruling. It ruled that most of Donald Trump’s tariffs are not legal, undercutting the President’s use of the tariffs as a significant international economic policy tool.
It has been reported by Reuters that the court permitted the tariffs to remain in place through October 14, 2025, in order to ensure the Trump administration has a chance to file an appeal at the US Supreme Court.
The decision is being closely monitored across the globe. In his second term as President of the US, Donald Trump has made tariffs a pillar of the country’s foreign policy, using them to exert political pressure and renegotiate key trade deals.
Checking the legality of Trump tariffs
In his second term, President Donald Trump has imposed a number of tariffs on countries that export goods to the US. These tariffs make it possible for the administration to extract economic concessions from trading partners.
But Trump tariffs are also making financial markets increasingly volatile. In response to the appeals court’s ruling, Trump called it a “highly partisan” court, posting on Truth Social that if these tariffs are removed, it could be a total disaster for the country.
The 7-4 decision from the US appeals court late last month addressed the legality of Trump tariffs. But this ruling does not impact tariffs issued under other legal authority, such as tariffs imposed on steel and aluminium imports.
