The Trump administration is requesting a pause in a second tariff case after a recent legal defeat. Two courts have ruled that the tariffs imposed by Trump’s administration exceed the president’s authority. Despite these rulings, the administration is appealing both decisions.
The tariffs remain in effect due to an earlier appeals court ruling. In related news, cars of the Volkswagen Group intended for export to the United States and the United Kingdom were seen arriving on train carriages at the seaport of Emden, Germany, on April 2, 2025. President Donald Trump has lashed out at recent court rulings concerning his tariffs.
He asserts that tariffs are essential for the “economic survival” of the United States. Trump’s comments come amid several legal battles challenging his use of national emergency powers to impose tariffs on American trading partners. A federal trade court initially ruled against the tariffs, but an appeals court has allowed them to remain in effect while legal proceedings continue.
The outcomes of these legal battles could have significant implications for both the global economy and the scope of presidential power in the U.S.
Writing on Truth Social on Monday, President Trump said: “If other Countries are allowed to use Tariffs against us, and we’re not allowed to counter them, quickly and nimbly, with Tariffs against them, our Country doesn’t have, even a small chance, of Economic survival.”
In another post, he stated: “Because of Tariffs, our Economy is BOOMING!”
These statements follow the Trump administration’s request for a U.S. appeals court to pause a ruling that challenged his tariffs. The Manhattan-based U.S. Court of International Trade had declared Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs illegal on May 28, 2025. Subsequently, a federal court in Washington, D.C., found that the tariffs exceeded the president’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Trump has won a temporary pause on the initial court ruling, allowing him to reinstate the tariffs. A decision on a longer-term pause is expected later in June. On Truth Social, Trump expressed hope that the Supreme Court would overturn the rulings against his tariffs, stating: “Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY.
Backroom ‘hustlers’ must not be allowed to destroy our Nation!”
However, not all agree with Trump’s stance. Republican Nebraska Representative Don Bacon wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday: “Article One Section Eight gives Congress the power over taxes and tariffs. The Constitution is clear.”
It remains to be seen whether a longer-term pause on the first court ruling against Trump’s tariffs will be granted.
Additionally, the court has yet to decide on the second pause requested by the Trump administration.
Tariff pause request after legal defeat
US President Donald Trump is not planning to extend the pause on his sweeping global tariffs, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed.
Announced in April, the tariffs impose between 11% to more than 100% on goods imported into the US. The majority of these tariffs were temporarily paused for 90 days due to stock market volatility. Speaking with Fox News, Lutnick indicated that he expects the President to maintain his firm stance when the 90-day pause expires at the start of July.
A significant focal point is the potential trade deal with China. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized China as an unreliable trading partner, accusing them of holding back essential products in the global supply chain. Trump’s top trade advisers presented a united front on various US morning television programs on Sunday, reiterating their commitment to the tariff agenda.
“Tariffs are not going away,” Lutnick declared, emphasizing the administration’s focus on improving trade deals. “You’re going to see first-class deals for the American worker over the next couple of weeks,” he stated. Once the pause concludes, sweeping tariffs are expected to affect imports from about 60 trading partners the White House has labeled as the “worst offenders,” including the European Union, Vietnam, and South Africa.
Trump has characterized these tariffs as retribution for what he perceives as unfair trade policies. On Friday, Trump announced an increase in steel tariffs from 25% to 50%, starting this Wednesday. He argued that the move would boost the local steel industry and reduce US dependency on countries like China.
US steel manufacturing has declined in recent years while nations such as China, India, and Japan have ramped up their production. The tariffs have strained relations between the US and other countries, including some of its closest allies, and have sparked a fierce trade battle with China. Despite a trade truce in May, which lowered tariffs on goods exchanged between the two nations, a comprehensive trade agreement remains elusive.
Treasury Secretary Bessent told CBS News on Sunday that the specifics of a trade deal would be “ironed out” once Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump engage in discussions, although the date for this conversation is uncertain. Bessent speculated that China’s withholding of essential products in the global supply chain could be due to a “glitch” or could be “intentional.”
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett informed ABC News that Trump and Xi are expected to talk this week, noting that both sides have shown a willingness to negotiate. “We’ve got to be ready in case things don’t happen the way we want,” Hassett cautioned.
“We have to have a steel industry that’s ready for American defense.”
Overall, Trump’s tariffs have dramatically impacted global trade, with ripple effects seen in relationships with both adversaries and allies worldwide.
