U.S. Court Halts Trump's Broad Tariff Measures

A major development has emerged in the ongoing trade dispute initiated by President Donald Trump, as a U.S. federal court has issued a ruling to halt the administration's extensive tariff plans.

The Court of International Trade determined that the emergency powers cited by the Trump administration do not grant the president the authority to impose wide-ranging tariffs across numerous countries. The court also invalidated specific tariffs placed on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.

In response, the Trump administration quickly filed an appeal, stating: “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.”

Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, commented on LinkedIn: “In practical terms, this adds a new level of uncertainty into the mix for US importers. Not only do they have to contend with the risks associated with changing tariffs. Now it is also cast into doubt whether or not the announced tariffs will even be implementable – and this also raises the question whether tariffs paid in recent weeks can ultimately be reclaimed. If the tariffs are ultimately (after appeals) found to be unlawfully implemented, shippers should have a good case for getting the paid tariffs back.”

Earlier this month, Trump had already taken a step back in his trade conflict with China, temporarily reducing tariffs by 115% for a 90-day window. This move sparked a surge in transpacific shipping rates, as importers rushed to ship goods before the deadline expired.