President Donald Trump suffered a massive blow on Wednesday when a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade — including one judge Trump himself appointed — held the president's "reciprocal tariffs" imposed on virtually the entire rest of the world are illegal.
The ruling, which determined Trump did not validly invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, was met with fury by some of Trump's supporters, but more broadly with cheers and celebration by economic experts and more traditional political analysts on social media.
"Big news! The US Court of International Trade just struck down Trump’s illegal tariff scheme as invalid under IEEPA," wrote Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. "The president does not have the authority to implement tariffs unilaterally. Glad to have co-led this case with Oregon to protect Arizona families and small biz."
"Courteously but forcefully, the Court demonstrated that Trump's actions are only tenuously related to the pretextual emergency Trump proclaimed. Trade is a congressional domain, and Trump abused the constitutionally limited power Congress delegated him," wrote former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum. "The Court of International Trade's decision can still be appealed , first to the US court of appeals for the federal circuit, then ultimately to the Supreme Court. Perhaps they will flinch from the job of saying No. But for now, this is a great win for law and freedom."
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"BREAKING: In a devastating loss for Trump, a federal court has just invalidated his tariffs, ruling that he lacked the authority to impose them unilaterally without congressional approval. So. Much. Winning," wrote the Republicans Against Trump account.
"A massive ruling. Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose every tariff you’ve read about that targeted a whole country or group of countries: Canada, Mexico, China (og + retaliatory), Liberation Day, etc. The judge just struck them all down," wrote Democratic congressional staffer Aaron Fritschner.
In response to Trump aide Stephen Miller proclaiming the ruling a "judicial coup," former GOP aide turned anti-Trump activist Ron Filipkowski posted, "It’s now Marxist to understand that the Constitution only authorizes Congress to impose tariffs."
"Trump’s lesson from this: he will now only sanction companies and individuals to begin trade talks. No more tariffs," wrote attorney Blake Allen.
"MAGA is going to try and take credit for the stock market tomorrow, but remember, it's because Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs were just blocked. TACO Trump is going to be pissed," wrote influencer Alex Cole, referencing a viral meme that stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out."
The Trump administration swiftly appealed the decision, which prompted another wave of reactions.
"You’re always prepared when you know you’re going to lose," wrote former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance in response.
