‘Still in effect’: Trump defends tariffs after court rules he had ‘no power to impose’ them

US President Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump defended his tariff strategy in a post on Truth Social, following a federal appeals court decision that found he had exceeded his authority by imposing certain tariffs under an emergency-powers statute.

The ruling, issued, stated that Trump's use of emergency powers to enact the tariffs was unlawful, potentially opening the door for the government to repay billions of dollars in collected duties.

The court stressed that Congress never gave the president sweeping powers to impose such duties. “We conclude Congress … did not give the president wide-ranging authority to impose tariffs of the kind Trump imposed in his sweeping executive orders,” the majority wrote.

In response, Trump vowed to fight the decision. “The appeals court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” he wrote, adding that he would appeal the ruling “with the help of the United States Supreme Court.”

“All tariffs are still in effect!" Trump wrote in the post, reaffirming his administration’s hardline stance on trade. “US will no longer tolerate enormous trade deficits and unfair tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers imposed by other countries, friend or foe." He further claimed that removing the tariffs would be a “disaster" for the US, arguing it would weaken the nation financially.

“For many years, Tariffs were allowed to be used against us by our uncaring and unwise politicians," Trump added.

"Now, with the help of the United States Supreme Court, we will use them to the benefit of our Nation, and Make America Rich, Strong, and Powerful Again! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he further added.