Trump tariffs put in legal limbo by US trade court ruling

Huge importer refunds potentially on table if duties found unconstitutional

President Donald Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs imposed in April were found to be unlawful by the U.S. Court of International Trade. © Reuters

RYOHEI YASOSHIMA

May 30, 2025 00:27 JST

WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Donald Trump's signature tariff policy has suffered another blow, with an American trade court ruling the levies "unlawful" in the first round of what is expected to be a protracted legal battle.

The U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday gave the administration 10 days to stop its sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs covering most trade partners globally, as well as additional duties on Canada, Mexico and China over their alleged failure to address drug trafficking.