Washington: A U.S. federal court has ruled that President Donald Trump's administration acted beyond its authority in imposing tariffs on several countries, declaring the trade measures illegal.
In a decision issued Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade stated that the law used by the White House to justify the tariffs does not permit the president to unilaterally impose such trade duties. The court emphasized that, under the U.S. Constitution, the power to regulate trade with foreign nations rests solely with Congress.
The court further stated that the president cannot override congressional authority even under the pretext of protecting the national economy.
The Trump administration has filed an appeal against the ruling.
The court also invalidated tariffs specifically imposed on China, Mexico, and Canada. The U.S. government had previously justified these measures by alleging that these countries were the sources of illegal drugs and unauthorized immigration into the United States.
The case was brought forward by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of five companies that import goods from the affected countries and were directly impacted by the tariffs.
Responding to the court's ruling, White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai criticized the decision, saying, "Unelected judges should not be determining how to handle national emergencies."
He added, "President Trump made a promise to put America first, and this administration remains committed to using all executive powers necessary to confront crises and restore American greatness."
The court's decision marks a significant setback for one of the hallmark trade policies of the Trump presidency.
