Washington: In a sharp rebuke to former President Donald Trump’s trade strategy, the U.S. Court of International Trade in Manhattan has blocked the imposition of tariffs on multiple nations, including India, citing a constitutional breach of executive authority.
The federal court, which specializes in trade disputes, ruled that Trump had exceeded his powers by unilaterally levying tariffs without Congressional approval. The court labeled the move an “abuse of executive authority” and ordered the withdrawal of the tariffs within ten days.
Trump had invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), claiming the U.S. trade deficit constituted a national economic emergency. However, the court found this interpretation unconvincing, ruling that the situation did not qualify as an emergency under the statute’s provisions. More importantly, it underscored that IEEPA does not grant the president blanket authority to restructure global trade.
The ruling reaffirms the U.S. Constitution’s clear delegation of trade authority to Congress, not the executive branch. “The president cannot bypass Congress to unilaterally dictate international economic policy,” the court’s statement read.
The lawsuit was brought forward by attorneys general from 12 Democrat-led states, challenging the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs.
In response, the White House condemned the ruling and confirmed plans to appeal. A spokesperson described the court’s decision as “judicial overreach” and insisted that the tariff measures were essential to America’s economic interests. “Unelected judges should not obstruct actions necessary to protect our national economy,” the statement said.
The case is now poised to escalate into a prolonged legal battle, with appeals expected to reach the higher courts, possibly culminating in a Supreme Court review.
The controversy erupted after Trump announced last April that the U.S. would impose tariffs on all countries running a trade surplus with the United States. The sweeping policy sent shockwaves through international markets and triggered immediate backlash—most notably from China, which retaliated with its own tariffs, sparking a fresh trade war.
India, along with several other nations, was initially granted a 90-day reprieve—an exemption extended to countries willing to enter trade negotiations with Washington.
Now, with the courts intervening and the White House refusing to back down, Trump’s tariff policy has become a flashpoint not only in international relations but also in America’s internal debate over executive power, trade sovereignty, and constitutional checks and balances.
As the appeals process begins, global markets are watching closely, aware that the outcome of this legal confrontation could reshape how the United States engages in global trade for years to come.