President Donald Trump’s administration has requested a pause in a second tariff case after losing in two courts that ruled the tariffs exceed the president’s authority. The administration is appealing both rulings. The tariffs remain in effect following an earlier decision by an appeals court that temporarily upheld them.
The case centers on tariffs imposed during Trump’s presidency, which have faced significant legal challenges. Legal experts argue that the president may have overstepped his authority by implementing these tariffs without Congressional approval. Trump has expressed strong dissatisfaction over court rulings challenging his tariffs, arguing they are essential for the United States’ “economic survival.”
In posts on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the critical role of tariffs, stating: “If other countries are allowed to use tariffs against us, and we’re not allowed to counter them, quickly and nimbly, with tariffs against them, our country doesn’t have, even a small chance, of economic survival.” He added: “Because of tariffs, our economy is BOOMING!”
The Trump administration recently sought a pause from a U.S. appeals court on a ruling that challenged the legality of his tariffs.
These “Liberation Day” tariffs were declared illegal by the Manhattan-based U.S. Court of International Trade on May 28. A federal court in Washington, D.C., similarly found that the tariffs exceeded the president’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Despite the legal challenges, Trump secured a temporary pause on the first court ruling, enabling him to reinstate tariffs temporarily.
The court is expected to rule on a longer-term pause later in June. Trump expressed his hope for a Supreme Court intervention on Truth Social: “Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country-threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY. Backroom ‘hustlers’ must not be allowed to destroy our Nation!”
Critics, however, point to constitutional limits.
Republican Nebraska Representative Don Bacon remarked: “Article One Section Eight gives Congress the power over taxes and tariffs. The Constitution is clear.”
It remains uncertain whether the courts will grant a longer-term pause on the initial ruling against Trump’s tariffs. The outcome of the second pause requested by Trump’s administration is also pending.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said he expects the President to stand firm when the 90-day pause expires at the start of July.
Pause requested on tariffs ruling
The president’s top trade advisers presented a united front on the tariff agenda during appearances on US morning television programs on Sunday.
Lutnick reiterated, “Tariffs are not going away,” indicating the Trump administration’s commitment to the policy, despite legal challenges. He added that the US is working to “make deals better” for American workers. Imports from about 60 trading partners, including the European Union, Vietnam, and South Africa, will face increased rates when the pause expires.
Trump has described these tariffs as retaliation for unfair trade policies. On Friday, Trump announced that steel tariffs would increase from 25% to 50%, a move aimed at boosting the local steel industry and reducing US reliance on foreign producers, particularly China. US steel manufacturing has decreased in recent years, while countries like China, India, and Japan have become major producers.
The tariff policies have strained global trade relationships, including those with close US partners. The levies have worsened US-China relations, launching the countries into a tit-for-tat trade battle. Under a trade truce struck in May in Geneva, the US lowered tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, and China’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods dropped from 125% to 10%.
However, a comprehensive trade deal between the two nations has yet to be established. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CBS News that details of the trade agreement would be “ironed out” once Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump speak, although the timing of this conversation remains unclear. Bessent suggested that China is holding back products essential for the industrial supply chains of India and Europe, which is not the behavior of a reliable partner.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett told ABC News that Trump and Xi are expected to talk this week, with both sides expressing a willingness to negotiate. Hassett said of the anticipated discussions with China: “We must be prepared for all outcomes. Having a ready and robust steel industry is crucial for American defense.”
The global community remains watchful as the US and China navigate their trade negotiations, which have significant implications for the international economy.
The tariffs, coupled with uncertainties surrounding the US-China trade deal, continue to inject volatility and strain into global trade affairs.
