Trump administration appeals court ruling that declared tariffs illegal
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
On May 8, the Trump administration appealed a court ruling that had declared the 10% tariff imposed in February illegal, according to Reuters and the Associated Press.
Specifically, on Thursday, a three-judge panel of the International Trade Court in New York, split in opinion, ruled that Trump's 10% tariffs were illegal and invalid after small businesses filed a lawsuit.
However, as is known, the court only blocked the imposition of the tariffs for the three importers who filed the lawsuit: two small businesses and the state of Washington.
In its filing submitted on Friday, the US Department of Justice said it would appeal the decision to the US Court of Appeals in Washington.
The case concerns temporary 10% tariffs that the Trump administration imposed worldwide after the Supreme Court in February 2026 struck down earlier higher double-digit tariffs that Trump had introduced in 2025.
Reuters notes that although the current court ruling applies only to a number of tariffs set to expire in about two months, it marks another blow to Trump’s tariff ambitions. The decision came just a week before the US president is expected to discuss trade tensions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
It also sets the stage for another lengthy legal battle over billions of dollars in tariff refunds.
European Union could face major tariffs
US President Donald Trump recently said he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and gave the European Union until July 4 to fulfill its part of the trade agreement with the US. Otherwise, he threatened to impose higher tariffs.
However, according to Bloomberg, the EU doubts the bloc will be able to do so. The reasons include a conflict between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over Iran, as well as internal EU disagreements over the terms of the agreement that von der Leyen signed back in 2025.
