US President Donald Trump on Monday defended his tariff policies, saying they were vital to the country’s economy and military strength.
He also took aim at a recent court ruling that went against him,
decided in a 7–4 opinion, which he described as being led by “a Radical Left group of judges.”
“Without Tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump noted, however, that one judge broke ranks.
“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 U.S.A.,” Trump added.
On Friday, a federal appeals court in the US ruled that most of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration are not in accordance with the law.
The court also ruled that Donald Trump exceeded his authority by using emergency powers to impose the import duties, as reported by CNN.
According to the report, in an unsigned opinion affirming a lower court’s decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit concluded that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not permit the kind of tariffs that Trump enacted earlier this year.
The court emphasised that Trump’s use of the law represented an unprecedented overreach of executive authority, noting that the power to levy taxes and tariffs is a fundamental responsibility granted by the Constitution to Congress.
The court allowed the tariffs to remain in place through October 14 to give the Trump administration a chance to file an appeal with the US Supreme Court.
The 7-4 decision by the court addressed the legality of what Trump calls “reciprocal” tariffs imposed as part of his trade war in April, as well as a separate set of tariffs imposed in February against China, Canada and Mexico.
Democratic presidents appointed six judges in the majority and two judges who dissented, while Republican presidents appointed one judge in the majority and two dissenters.
Soon after, Trump slammed the decision, noting that all tariffs imposed on the countries would remain in effect, calling a recent ruling by a “highly Partisan Appeals Court” incorrect.
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