Trump Tariffs Court Ruling: Why the Court Said Trump’s Moves Went Too Far
Intermediate | June 2, 2025
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Understanding the Trump Tariffs Court Ruling
Have you been following the news about US trade? Recently, a US federal court made a big decision about some taxes on imported goods, called tariffs, that were put in place by President Trump. The court said that many of these tariffs, especially the ones announced around “Liberation Day” in April, were illegal because the president didn’t have the power to put them in place by himself.
This is a pretty significant development because it challenges a key part of President Trump’s economic plan. He has often used tariffs to try and improve the US trade balance and encourage companies to manufacture things in the US. The Trump Tariffs Court Ruling now puts that strategy under legal scrutiny.
Why the Court Stepped In
The court, specifically the US Court of International Trade, looked at the law President Trump used to justify these tariffs. This law is called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). It’s usually used for things like putting financial restrictions on other countries during a national emergency.
The judges decided that this law does not give the president unlimited power to put taxes on almost all imported goods. They said that the power to control trade with other countries belongs mainly to the US Congress, according to the Constitution.
What This Means Now
The Trump Tariffs Court Ruling means that the government was ordered to stop collecting some of the tariffs. However, the story isn’t finished! The Trump administration quickly appealed this ruling. This means they asked a higher court to review the decision.
So, while the first court said the tariffs were illegal, they might stay in place while the higher court considers the appeal. This legal fight could continue for a while, maybe even going to the Supreme Court. It just goes to show that making big changes in trade policy is not always straightforward and can face legal challenges.
Vocabulary
- Tariff (noun): A tax on goods coming into a country.
Example: “The government put a high “tariff” on imported cars.” - Imported (adjective): Brought into a country from another country.
Example: “We bought some delicious “imported” cheese.” - Illegal (adjective): Against the law.
Example: “It is “illegal” to drive without a license.” - Overstepped (verb): Went beyond the limit of one’s authority or power.
Example: “The manager “overstepped” his authority by making that decision without consulting anyone.” - Authority (noun): The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.
Example: “The police have the “authority” to arrest criminals.” - Invoke (verb): To refer to (something) in support of your ideas.
Example: “He “invoked” the law to support his argument.” - Unilateral (adjective): Done by one person or group without the agreement of others.
Example: “The company made a “unilateral” decision to close the factory.” - Constitution (noun): The basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
Example: “The “Constitution” of the United States is a very important document.” - Appeal (verb): To ask a higher court to review a decision made by a lower court.
Example: “They decided to “appeal” the court’s decision.” - Ruling (noun): An official decision made by a judge or court.
Example: “The court issued a “ruling” on the case.”
Discussion Questions (About the Article)
- What is the main point of the news story?
- Why did the court say President Trump’s tariffs were illegal?
- What law did President Trump use to justify the tariffs?
- Who does the court say has the main power to control trade?
- What happened immediately after the court’s decision?
Discussion Questions (About the Topic)
- What are some reasons a country might put taxes on imported goods?
- How might tariffs affect the prices of goods that people buy?
- Do you think it’s better for the president or Congress to control trade policy? Why?
- How might legal challenges affect a president’s plans?
- What are some possible effects of trade disputes between countries?
Related Idiom
“To throw a curveball”
Meaning: To present something unexpected or surprising.
Example: “The court’s ruling “threw a curveball” into the government’s trade plans.”
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This article was inspired by: Reuters, May 28, 2025
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