On May 29, 2025, a federal appeals court reinstated the broad tariffs introduced during former President Donald Trump's administration despite a recent ruling challenging their legality. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington issued an order without providing detailed reasoning but requested responses from involved parties by early June.
This decision followed a surprise ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade on May 28, which had declared that Trump exceeded his statutory authority when imposing these tariffs. The trade court had ordered an immediate halt to the duties, suggesting significant implications for ongoing trade policies.
The reinstated tariffs, often referred to as "Liberation Day" tariffs, affect most U.S. trading partners and include import levies targeting goods from Canada, Mexico, and China. These tariffs were part of Trump's broader strategy, justified by allegations that these countries contributed to the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
The appeals court directed that plaintiffs respond by June 5, with the federal administration required to reply by June 9, setting the stage for further legal exchange on the issue.
These developments underscore ongoing tensions in U.S. trade policy and legal interpretations of executive authority in imposing trade measures. Monitoring forthcoming court responses will be critical to understanding the future of these tariffs and their impact on international commerce.
