Federal Circuit Rules Majority of Global Tariffs Illegal

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has ruled that a majority of the global tariffs imposed by the former administration are illegal, finding that the exceeded his authority in imposing these tariffs. The court's decision on Friday upheld an earlier ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which found that the had improperly invoked emergency powers to implement the tariffs. The appeals court judges sent the case back to the lower court to determine whether the ruling applies to all parties affected by the tariffs or only to the parties involved in the current lawsuit.

The decision extends the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate fate of these tariffs, as it was previously expected that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court for a final ruling. The court's decision to remand the case back to the lower court for further review suggests that the legal battle over these tariffs is far from over. It remains to be seen how the lower court will rule on the matter, and whether the case will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

Prior to the court's decision, administration officials had warned that a ruling against the tariffs could severely damage U.S. foreign policy. In a statement submitted to the court, the administration argued that if the tariffs were found to be illegal, it would create a "dangerous diplomatic embarrassment" and have "devastating and serious consequences." The officials also expressed concern that other countries would view the U.S. as lacking the ability to respond quickly to retaliatory measures.

The tariffs, which were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), have been a contentious issue since their implementation. Critics have argued that the tariffs were imposed without proper congressional authorization, while supporters have maintained that they were necessary to protect U.S. economic and national security interests. The court's decision on Friday appears to support the critics' arguments, as it found that the had exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs.

The case has significant implications for U.S. trade policy, as it could set a precedent for future tariff disputes. The court's decision to remand the case back to the lower court for further review suggests that the legal battle over these tariffs is far from over. It remains to be seen how the lower court will rule on the matter, and whether the case will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. The decision also highlights the ongoing debate over the extent of presidential powers in implementing trade policies, and the role of Congress in authorizing such measures.