Although the U.S. Court of International Trade declared the "Freedom Day" tariffs introduced by Donald Trump in April 2025 unconstitutional and overturned them, the Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked that ruling. This allows the Trump administration to proceed with the appeal process and ensures that the tariffs remain in effect for now.
These tariffs were part of Trump’s so-called “economic independence” strategy and targeted imports from countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico. Trump justified the measures as a way to reduce trade deficits and restrict the import of harmful substances like fentanyl. However, the lower court ruled that such sweeping trade actions overstepped presidential authority, stating that the U.S. Constitution does not grant the President the unilateral power to impose broad trade measures without Congressional oversight.
The decision is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over the limits of presidential authority in shaping trade policy and highlights the need for a stronger Congressional role in such decisions. As of now, the appeal process continues, and the future of the tariffs remains uncertain.
