Politico: US court may push for repayment of Trump-era tariff duties to dozens of countries

A U.S. federal court struck down most of former President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on dozens of countries, ruling that he overstepped his powers by implementing the measures without Congressional approval, as per an article by Politico.

The decision casts doubt on the legality of a wide swath of protectionist trade policies enacted during Trump’s presidency.

The ruling applies to nearly all of the tariffs imposed under the so-called “Liberation Day” campaign — except for the 25 per cent levies on steel, aluminium, and automobiles, which remain in force. The U.S. Justice Department has already filed an appeal, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The court’s ruling also means that the government may have to pay back duties it has already collected. “Anybody that has had to pay tariffs so far will be able to get them refunded,” said Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University, who helped argue a case against the tariffs brought by several small businesses.

In early 2025, President Donald Trump initiated a sweeping tariff policy known as the "Liberation Day" tariffs, aiming to address trade imbalances and bolster domestic manufacturing. These measures included a 10% baseline tariff on most imports, with higher rates targeting countries like China, Mexico, and Canada. The administration justified these actions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), citing national security concerns and the need to reduce the U.S. trade deficit.

By Khagan Isayev