Washington, D.C. — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will petition the Supreme Court for an expedited ruling after a federal appeals court found many of his tariffs to be illegal.
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, along with duties tied to the fentanyl crisis, exceeded the president’s authority under the national security statute he invoked. The court noted that the International Economic Emergency Powers Act of 1977, the law cited by Trump, does not explicitly authorize tariffs.
Despite that ruling, the appeals court allowed the duties to remain in place while the administration appeals to the Supreme Court.
Trump said a reversal of his tariff measures would be “devastating” for the United States, underscoring the urgency of his request for the high court to act quickly.
The tariff battle has significant implications for America’s trade partners. At the start of August, Trump increased duties on Canadian imports to 35 per cent, citing both the fentanyl crisis and retaliation against Canada’s own trade measures as justification.
The outcome of the Supreme Court’s decision could reshape U.S. trade policy and its relationships with key allies, including Canada.