Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has defiantly pledged to keep his sweeping tariffs in place after a federal appeals court ruled many of them unlawful, warning that lifting them would weaken America’s economy and undermine national strength.
In a fiery post on his Truth Social platform, Trump dismissed the ruling as the work of a “highly partisan court,” insisting that tariffs remain a cornerstone of his economic strategy. “ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! If these tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong,” he declared.
The court’s decision, while deeming the tariffs illegal, allowed them to remain temporarily in effect, giving Trump room to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. The president signaled that he intends to take the legal fight all the way, framing the case as pivotal to America’s economic survival.
Trump argued that tariffs are not merely a trade tool but a shield for American workers and industries long battered by what he calls “decades of unfair trade.” He wrote, “The U.S.A. will no longer tolerate enormous trade deficits and unfair barriers imposed by other countries, friend or foe. If this ruling is allowed to stand, it would literally destroy the United States of America.”
His administration backed up the combative rhetoric with a legal warning. In a filing submitted just before the ruling, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick cautioned that striking down the tariffs would damage U.S. foreign policy, jeopardize ongoing trade talks, and invite retaliation from partners. Lutnick also said it could “derail critical ongoing negotiations” with allies and rivals alike.
Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Trump has used tariffs as the centerpiece of his “America First” economic doctrine, imposing sweeping levies under a 1977 emergency powers law. In April, he announced “reciprocal” tariffs of up to 50 percent on countries running surpluses with the U.S., alongside a baseline 10 percent tax on most imports. India and Brazil have faced some of the steepest duties, with 50 percent tariffs hitting their exports.
While critics argue the measures have upended global trade and risked retaliatory blowback, Trump insists they are revitalizing American manufacturing and putting U.S. leverage back on the negotiating table. “With the help of the Supreme Court, we will use tariffs to benefit our nation and make America rich, strong, and powerful again,” he declared.
The looming Supreme Court battle is now set to become a defining test of Trump’s economic nationalism, with global markets and trading partners anxiously watching whether his aggressive tariff regime survives judicial scrutiny.