 "President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, on April 2, 2025, in Washington. File image/ AP")
US President Donald Trump on Friday (Aug 29) hit back at the US appeals court after it struck down most of his tariffs as unlawful , insisting the measures remain in place and vowing to take the fight to the Supreme Court.
The ruling dealt a major blow to one of Trump’s signature economic policies, declaring the bulk of his global tariffs illegal. However, the court allowed the levies to remain until 14 October, giving his administration time to appeal.
‘All tariffs are still in effect’
“ALL TARIFFS ARE STILL IN EFFECT! Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” Trump said.
Warning of dire consequences if the duties were overturned, he said, “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… If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America.”
Marking the Labour Day weekend, Trump doubled down on his defence of tariffs. “At the start of this Labor Day weekend, we should all remember that TARIFFS are the best tool to help our Workers, and support Companies that produce great MADE IN AMERICA products… 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!”
Court finds Trump exceeded authority
On Friday, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled 7–4 that Trump had overstepped his authority by invoking emergency economic powers to impose sweeping duties. While the judges upheld the finding, they permitted the tariffs to stay in effect until mid-October — a window Trump quickly vowed to use to appeal.
“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 on Truth Social, denouncing the decision as partisan and pledging to fight back “with the help of the United States Supreme Court.”