0
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a chart showing reciprocal tariff rates for 57 trade partners during a press conference at the White House Rose Garden on April 2. / AP-Yonhap

The fate of President Donald Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” is now headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, after a federal appeals court ruled that the president lacks legal authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose such duties unilaterally.

On August 29, the appeals court ruled 7–4 against Trump’s legal justification, while allowing the tariffs to remain in effect until October 14, the deadline for appeal. Trump immediately vowed to take the case to the Supreme Court, where conservatives hold a 6–3 majority after his first-term appointments.

		0
Trump meets South Korean economic ministers and trade officials at the White House on July 30 during bilateral negotiations. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared the photo on X on August 1. / Treasury Department via Yonhap

The Wall Street Journal noted that 11 of 15 judges across three courts have rejected the administration’s claim, pointing out that tariffs were not contemplated under the 1977 IEEPA. The ruling cited the Supreme Court’s 2022 “major-questions doctrine,” which bars federal agencies from adopting regulations with broad economic impact without explicit authorization from Congress.

Challengers to the tariffs include not only progressive groups and Democratic-led states, but also small businesses, trade associations, and even conservative organizations. They argue that the White House overstepped its authority by bypassing Congress, creating legal vulnerabilities that opponents could exploit.

Despite the legal hurdles, Trump’s administration has kept up trade negotiations. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox News that partners remain in “very close contact” on negotiations, regardless of interim court rulings.

		0
President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meet for trade talks in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 27, joined by USTR Jamieson Greer, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and EU Vice President Maroš Šefčovič. / Reuters-Yonhap

Even if the Supreme Court ultimately strikes down reciprocal tariffs next year, Trump is expected to sustain his trade agenda by expanding targeted duties on specific goods. Steel and aluminum imports already face 50% tariffs, while cars carry 25%. Semiconductor and pharmaceutical imports are also likely candidates for higher levies.

The timeline suggests the Court could decide to hear the case by late this year or early 2026, with oral arguments in the spring and a ruling months later. Until then, the reciprocal tariffs remain in force, keeping global trade partners on edge.