White House Vows to Continue Tariffs Despite Court Rulings

Despite recent court rulings that have cast significant uncertainty over the future of the Trump administration's tariff policies, the White House has vowed not to abandon these measures. Officials have asserted that even in the event of a legal defeat, alternative methods to implement tariffs remain available. The White House has reiterated that the president's trade agenda will proceed as planned.

Senior White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, speaking to reporters on Thursday, assured that the president will continue to seek ways to implement tariff policies, many of which were announced on what was dubbed "Liberation Day." Navarro emphasized that the tariff agenda remains effective and will be executed to protect American jobs and industries. "You can assume that even if we lose, we will find other ways to implement tariffs," Navarro stated. "I can assure the American people that Trump's tariff agenda is still valid, healthy, and will be implemented to protect you, save your jobs, and factories."

When asked if the administration is developing a "Plan B" in case the initial emergency powers invoked are deemed illegal, Navarro responded that the trade team is considering all "strategic options." "There is no Plan B, only Plan A. Plan A includes all strategic options," he said.

Earlier on Thursday, a federal appeals court granted the Trump administration's request to temporarily halt a lower court's ruling that had blocked the implementation of several tariff executive orders. Less than 24 hours prior, the U.S. Court of International Trade surprisingly ruled that the administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs on multiple countries was an overreach and illegal, thereby prohibiting the execution of related executive orders.

Earlier that day, another federal court attempted to halt Trump's tariffs, but this ruling was more limited in scope, only requiring the administration to stop collecting tariffs from two toy importers. Before the federal appeals court's decision to allow the government to temporarily proceed with its tariff policies, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt had pledged that "the president's trade policy will continue, no matter what."

"We will comply with the court's orders, but yes, the president has other legal authorities to impose tariffs," Leavitt said during a press conference. The White House also confirmed its intention to continue trade negotiations with other countries, despite the lingering uncertainty. Both Leavitt and Navarro reported receiving messages from other nations indicating their willingness to continue negotiations following Wednesday's unfavorable ruling.

Both officials expressed dissatisfaction with the international trade court's decision on Wednesday, with Leavitt labeling it "judicial overreach" and accusing the judge of "abusing judicial power." Navarro criticized it as part of the "weaponization of the judiciary."

However, White House officials acknowledged that alternative tariff options might take longer to implement. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett stated on Thursday, "There are indeed alternative methods, which might take a few months to implement using processes approved by previous administrations or the current one, but we are not planning to pursue these measures at this time."