Trump Administration Fights Court Order Against 10% Global Tariffs

Key Details The Trump administration filed an emergency request asking the U.S. Court of International Trade to pause a ruling that blocked the president's 10% global tariffs while the government appeals. A three-judge panel ruled 2-1 last week that Trump's use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 was invalid, though the order initially applied only to two companies and Washington state. Why It Matters The Justice Department warned that thousands of importers would flood the courts with similar claims if the ruling takes full effect. Allowing the pause would keep importers paying the levies during the lengthy appeals process. The government is already managing refunds from earlier tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. Numbers You Should Know More than 170,000 importers have paid deposits covering Section 122 tariffs since February. U.S. Customs collected roughly $8 billion in these tariffs in March alone. The government argues the court improperly rejected its definition of balance-of-payments deficits, which is required under the 1974 law. What's Next The case is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. If lower courts refuse to pause the ruling, the administration has indicated it will seek emergency intervention from the Supreme Court.