A U.S. federal appeals court has decided to let President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs remain active for the time being, while it undertakes an accelerated review of the case.
The decision, issued Tuesday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, prolongs a temporary legal lifeline for the Trump administration as it seeks to overturn a lower court ruling that invalidated the tariffs.
In its brief order, the appeals court stated it would expedite its review in light of what it described as “issues of exceptional importance.” The panel has scheduled oral arguments for July 31, effectively ensuring that the tariff measures will remain in place for at least two more months as legal proceedings unfold.
Reacting to the development, President Trump took to his platform Truth Social early Wednesday, calling the court’s decision a “great and important win for the US.” His administration has argued that the tariffs are a key component of a broader trade strategy aimed at protecting American industries and reshaping international trade dynamics in the country’s favor.
The legal battle stems from a decision in May by the U.S. Court of International Trade, which ruled that Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing broad, across-the-board global tariffs. That ruling barred most of the sweeping levies from taking effect, prompting the Trump administration to file an appeal.
Trump, who resumed the presidency in January, has made trade a central focus of his second term. He reintroduced tariff measures in early April, targeting most of the United States’ trade partners with a standard 10 percent duty. The administration also hinted at the possibility of imposing steeper penalties on numerous economies, including the European Union.
The trade court’s earlier decision also invalidated tariffs that had been levied against countries like Canada, Mexico, and China under the president’s emergency authority. Those measures had been part of Trump’s broader attempt to leverage tariffs as a bargaining tool in international negotiations.
Despite the appeals court allowing the tariffs to stand for now, the opposition to their continuation remains vocal. A coalition of small businesses that successfully challenged the tariffs in the trade court has criticized the interim decision, warning of the consequences.
In a recent court filing, the group argued that leaving the tariffs in place while the appeal is underway “would cause irreparable harm” to small businesses and consumers throughout the United States. They maintain that the financial strain created by the tariffs could be deeply damaging if left unchecked during the extended legal battle.
As the legal process moves forward on an expedited timeline, the future of Trump’s tariff policy remains uncertain. But for now, the duties that have drawn criticism at home and abroad will continue to shape the U.S. trade landscape, pending the outcome of the July 31 hearing.
