Trump Lashes Out After Court Blocks Tariffs; Appeals Court Pauses Ruling

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump on Thursday unleashed a fiery response to a federal court ruling that struck down his administration's sweeping tariff authority, even as an appeals court temporarily halted the decision-setting up a high-stakes legal battle over presidential trade powers that could reshape U.S. economic policy.

The day began with a sharp rebuke from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) in New York, which ruled late Wednesday that Trump had exceeded his legal authority by imposing "reciprocal tariffs" on nearly all trading partners under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The CIT's ruling, described by legal experts as a major rebuke to executive power, declared the tariffs "unlawful and void" and ordered the administration to immediately suspend collection of the duties, which include a 15% global base tariff and higher levies on countries with large U.S. trade deficits, such as China (34%).

Within hours, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, arguing that blocking the tariffs would "cripple the president's ability to protect American workers and industries" and cause "irreparable harm" to the U.S. economy. In a unanimous orderissued Thursday afternoon, the D.C. Circuit's 11-judge panel granted the administration's request, staying the CIT's ruling indefinitely while the appeal proceeds.

Trump, in a 1,200-word post on Truth Social, called the CIT decision "an embarrassment to our country" and "politically motivated" by "radical left-wing judges." He wrote:

"It is unbelievable that a court would rule against tariffs that are so desperately needed to save our economy. The CIT's decision is so wrong, so political, and so dangerous for our nation. It would mean that hundreds of politicians in Congress-who do nothing but talk and waste time-would get to decide how much we tax foreign countries that cheat us. This would destroy the power of the presidency forever!"

The president emphasized that the tariffs were critical to "rebuilding our factories, bringing back jobs, and making America wealthy again." He added that his administration would "go all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary" to uphold the tariff policy, warning that failing to do so would "make us a laughingstock of the world" and allow other nations to "continue ripping off the United States".

Legal and Political Fallout

The CIT's ruling stemmed from lawsuits filed by a coalition of 22 states, hundreds of businesses, and trade groups, which argued that the IEEPA-designed for national security emergencies-did not grant the president broad authority to impose tariffs for economic purposes. The plaintiffs contended that only Congress has the power to set tariffs under the U.S. Constitution.

Legal analysts said the D.C. Circuit's stay was a temporary victory for Trump but signaled that the court is likely to review the case on its merits. "The appeals court is essentially saying, 'Let's pause the chaos while we figure out who's right,'" said Sarah Bloom Raskin, a former Treasury Department official. "This is a landmark case that could define the limits of presidential trade power for decades."

Politically, the tariff fight has become a centerpiece of Trump's "America First" agenda, with the president arguing that the levies are necessary to reduce the U.S. trade deficit, which topped $800 billion in 2025. Supporters, including manufacturing unions and domestic producers, praise the tariffs as a way to level the playing field with China and other competitors. Critics, however-including farmers, retailers, and economists-warn that the tariffs will raise prices for consumers, trigger retaliation from other countries, and slow global economic growth.

Market Reaction and Next Steps

U.S. financial markets reacted cautiously to the developments. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8%on Thursday, rebounding from Wednesday's 1.2% drop, as investors bet that the tariffs would remain in place for now. The U.S. dollar strengthened, while Treasury yields edged higher. Meanwhile, Chinese and European officials signaled that they were prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if the U.S. duties are upheld.

The D.C. Circuit has ordered both sides to submit legal briefs by early June, with oral arguments expected later that month. Legal experts say the case could reach the Supreme Court by the fall, setting up a potentially historic decision on the separation of powers.

For Trump, the outcome is personal and political. "This is not just about tariffs-it's about whether we have a strong president who can stand up for America," he wrote on Truth Social. "We will win this fight, and we will make America great again-no matter what the radical left tries to do."

- Additional reporting by White House correspondents and legal affairs reporters in New York and Washington.