U.S. Federal Court Blocks Trump’s “Liberation Day” Tariffs
Introduction
On May 28, 2025, a pivotal ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade halted President Donald Trump’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs, marking a major judicial check on executive authority in American trade policy. The court found that President Trump exceeded his legal powers by attempting to impose broad duties on imports from countries with a trade surplus against the United States, using emergency powers as justification. This decision not only disrupts a central pillar of Trump’s trade agenda but also raises critical questions about the limits of presidential power, the future of U.S. trade relations, and the economic impact on American businesses and consumers.
This report examines the origins and rationale behind the “Liberation Day” tariffs, the legal challenges and court decision, the economic and political fallout, and the broader implications for U.S. trade policy and global markets.
