Uncertainty and confusion after 'judge coup' on tariffs

A cloud hangs over the global economy, experts have warned, after a bombshell court ruling blocked Donald Trump’s tariffs, creating more “confusion and uncertainty”.

- DAVID MADDOX

Financial markets reacted positively to the unanimous ruling by three judges late on Wednesday, but the decision enraged the White House, with the US president’s official spokesperson, Stephen Miller, calling it another “judge coup”.

The White House immediately appealed the decision and won a temporary reprieve yesterday, which means all of the president’s “Liberation Day” tariffs will be reinstated while the case makes its way through the courts. Nevertheless, they face a protracted legal process that could overshadow trade talks and delay the implementation of existing deals, including with Britain.

Only the 25 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminium and cars are unaffected by the ruling.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticised the court’s ruling as an example of “judicial overreach”. She added that Mr Trump’s tariffs were introduced to tackle US trade deficits with other nations and said the taxes are “legally sound” and “long overdue”.

Ms Leavitt hit out at the judges in the briefing, saying they were threatening to “undermine” America’s credibility on the global stage.

When asked why other countries would continue with trade negotiations, she said the US ambassador for trade had heard from countries this morning that they intended to continue working with the US. “We will win this battle in court,” she told the media, adding that the court is trying to stop Mr Trump from “correcting the wrongs of the past”.