The Trump administration just cleared a significant legal hurdle. A federal appeals court ruled that the 10% global tariffs can stay in effect while the broader legal battle continues, giving the White House breathing room in what has become a drawn-out fight over executive trade authority.
The ruling from the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit effectively pauses the impact of a lower court decision that had declared the tariffs unlawful.
The legal saga so far
In February 2026, the Supreme Court struck down a broader set of tariffs that had been imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in a 6-3 decision. That ruling forced the administration to find a different legal foundation for its trade agenda.
The administration pivoted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, using it to impose temporary 10% duties on imports across the board.
