WASHINGTON: Days after a federal appeals court struck down most of his sweeping tariff measures, US President Donald Trump on Sunday vigorously defended his trade policy and thanked an Obama-appointed judge who dissented from the majority ruling.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump claimed tariffs had brought “TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS” into the US and warned that without them “our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated.”
He criticized the court’s 7–4 decision against his “reciprocal tariffs” but praised the lone Democratic-appointed judge who supported his position. “In a 7 to 4 Opinion, a Radical Left group of judges didn’t care, but one Democrat, Obama appointed, actually voted to save our Country. I would like to thank him for his Courage! He loves and respects the USA,” Trump wrote.
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled last week that Trump had exceeded his presidential authority when imposing wide-ranging tariffs on nearly every country in April, calling them unconstitutional and illegal. The ruling invalidated two major sets of duties: Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs and an additional package announced in February targeting China, Canada, and Mexico.
The decision slashes tariff coverage from about 69% of US imports to roughly 16%, unless overturned by the Supreme Court before October 14.
Still, core elements of Trump’s trade policy remain. Sector-specific duties, particularly the steel and aluminum tariffs introduced under Section 232, were unaffected. In fact, the administration recently expanded them, raising duties up to 50% on more than 400 product categories, according to the Commerce Department.
“Section 232 tariffs are central to President Trump’s tariff strategy,” said Mike Lowell, partner at Reed Smith, in an interview with CNBC. “They’re not the target of this litigation and are more likely to survive legal challenges, much like the original aluminum and steel tariffs imposed during Trump’s first term.”
Reports suggest the administration is preparing to expand such sector-specific duties to sidestep court restrictions on broader tariffs, The Wall Street Journal said.
