Overview

• In a 7-4 decision, the Federal Circuit largely affirmed the trade court, holding that IEEPA does not grant a president authority to impose economy‑wide tariffs and that tariff power rests with Congress.
• The stay keeps Trump’s April “reciprocal” global tariffs and February “trafficking” tariffs in force for now, and the ruling does not affect duties imposed under other statutes such as steel and aluminum.
• The administration plans to seek Supreme Court review as President Trump blasted the ruling as partisan, while the White House emphasized that all tariffs remain in effect.
• The consolidated cases were brought by five small businesses and a coalition of 12 states, and the appeals court sent questions about the scope of any nationwide relief back to the trade court.
• The outcome could determine whether importers may seek refunds on billions collected and whether the administration turns to narrower tariff authorities if the high court upholds the decision.