02-06-2025
As Courts Call Tariffs Into Question, Trump Again Turns to His Favorite Tool
The legitimacy of President Trump's tariffs is being questioned by U.S. courts, but the president is showing no signs of backing off his favorite tool.
On Wednesday, the tariffs that Mr. Trump imposed on foreign steel and aluminum are set to double to 50 percent, a move that the president has said will better protect domestic metal makers.
In the coming days, the U.S. government is set to face off with states and businesses that have sued over the president's tariffs, and both sides will be required to submit more information as judges work toward final decisions on the legality of Mr. Trump's steepest tariffs.
Last Wednesday, the Court of International Trade ruled that some of the steep tariffs that Mr. Trump had imposed were illegal, a significant setback for the president's agenda.
Less than 24 hours later, a separate court temporarily paused that decision. As judges weigh that appeal, the tariffs in question — which include the levies Mr. Trump imposed on Canada, Mexico and China for what he said was their role in the fentanyl trade, as well as the global tariffs Mr. Trump announced, and then quickly paused, in April — are expected to remain in effect at least until June 9.
On Sunday, one of Mr. Trump's top trade advisers insisted that the president would continue to find ways to hit other countries with tariffs even after the trade court ruled against the defining element of Mr. Trump's strategy.
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