Trump rejects appeals court ruling, insists tariffs remain crucial for America’s strength.
Washington: In a fresh confrontation between the executive and judiciary, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed a federal appeals court ruling that declared most of his administration’s tariffs “illegal,” insisting that all levies remain in place and are essential to America’s economic security.
“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” Trump wrote in a fiery statement. “If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong.”
The remarks came hours after a federal appeals court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize a president to impose tariffs in the sweeping way Trump has attempted this year. The Federal Circuit, in an unsigned opinion, upheld a lower-court decision against the legality of Trump’s tariffs. Judges stressed that tariff authority is a “core Congressional power” under the Constitution, and warned that Trump’s interpretation represented an overreach of presidential authority.
Trump, however, doubled down. He warned that the United States would no longer accept “large trade deficits” or “unfair tariffs and non-tariff barriers” from trading partners. “If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America,” he said, framing tariffs as central to protecting American workers and rebuilding domestic industry.
He invoked Labor Day symbolism to rally support. “We should all remember that TARIFFS are the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products,” Trump said, adding that past administrations had failed to defend the nation. “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!”
The White House swiftly backed the president. Spokesperson Kush Desai said, “President Trump lawfully exercised the tariff powers granted to him by Congress to defend our national and economic security from foreign threats. The President’s tariffs remain in effect, and we look forward to ultimate victory on this matter.”
Trump’s sweeping tariff order, announced on April 2 and described as “Liberation Day,” targeted around 60 countries and blocs with which the U.S. maintains significant trade deficits. It marked the largest American tariff hike in nearly a century. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had suggested in June that negotiations with trade partners might conclude by Labor Day, though the court’s ruling complicates that timeline.
Meanwhile, analysts are questioning Trump’s motivations. A recent Jefferies report said the 50 per cent tariffs imposed on Indian goods were partly driven by Trump’s “personal pique” at being denied a mediation role in the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year. The report added that agriculture remains a critical sticking point in U.S.-India relations, with New Delhi unwilling to open its vast sector—supporting 250 million livelihoods—to foreign imports.
As Trump vows to take the legal fight to the Supreme Court, the clash between presidential power and judicial oversight is set to intensify, with global markets closely watching for fallout.
