Try GOLD - Free
US Court Ruling on Tariffs Leaves Trading Partners 'Dazed and Confused'
The Straits Times
|September 01, 2025
The legal fight over US President Donald Trump's global tariffs is deepening after a federal appeals court ruled the levies were issued illegally under an emergency law, extending the chaos in global trade.
-
A 7-4 decision by a panel of judges on the night of Aug. 29 in Washington was a major setback for Mr. Trump, even as it gives both sides something to boast about.
The majority upheld a May ruling by the Court of International Trade that the tariffs were illegal. But the judges left the levies intact while the case proceeds, as Mr. Trump had requested, and suggested that any injunction could potentially be narrowed to apply only to those who sued.
It is unclear exactly where the case goes from here. The Trump administration could quickly appeal against the ruling to the Supreme Court, or it could allow the trade court to revisit the matter and potentially narrow the injunction against his tariffs.
"Our trading partners must be dazed and confused," Ms. Wendy Cutler, a senior vice-president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and veteran US trade negotiator, wrote in a post on LinkedIn. "Many of them entered into framework deals with us and some are still negotiating."
Trillions of dollars of global trade are embroiled in the case, which was filed by Democratic-led states and a group of small businesses. A final ruling against Mr. Trump's tariffs would upend his trade deals and force the government to contend with demands for hundreds of billions of dollars in refunds on levies already paid.
This story is from the September 01, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Digitalisation - Can seniors have printed receipts at healthcare institutions?
I am writing to express my concern regarding the implementation of the Ministry of Health's \"Go Paperless\" initiative for payment receipts at healthcare institutions.
1 min
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
Help, my teen has social anxiety
Experts say parents play a crucial role in helping their adolescents to overcome the condition
6 mins
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
Britain, Canada and Australia recognise Palestinian state
Other countries are expected to do the same at UN General Assembly this week
3 mins
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
The climate crisis may also be a ticking financial time bomb
Bankers and corporate CEOs are already struggling to manage growing financial risks. New risks from climate change could push things over the edge.
7 mins
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
Tween Cathy Chen Xi wins first prize
The Il-year-old Singaporean violinist had daily lessons, sometimes twice a day, in the two weeks leading up to the final
2 mins
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
KENYAN ODIRA 'REALLY GRATEFUL'
Debutante beats fancied pair with powerful 800m finish, while Hocker makes amends
3 mins
September 22, 2025

The Straits Times
S'pore firms drawn to Africa's fast-growing consumer market
Continent has youngest population, huge reserves of commodities, critical minerals
6 mins
September 22, 2025
The Straits Times
3 more suspects linked to fake bulk order scams arrested
Three more people have been arrested for their suspected links to the recent fake bulk order scams that were carried out through impersonating Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen.
1 mins
September 22, 2025
The Straits Times
Matchmaking efforts by local Japanese govts prove a hit with Gen Z
The nature of konkatsu matchmaking programmes organised by local Japanese governments is changing to better suit the preferences of young adults belonging to Generation Z, those who were born from the latter half of the 1990s to around 2010.
3 mins
September 22, 2025
The Straits Times
Hygiene - Measures in place to ensure food safety of autonomous kitchen systems
We refer to the Forum letter by Mr Cheong Wing Kiat, \"Clarity on accountability needed for autonomous kitchens\" (Sept 11).
1 mins
September 22, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size