1. What happened?
On May 28 a unanimous Court of International Trade ruling vacated all of Trump’s across-the-board tariffs.
Judges said Trump overreached by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to bypass Congress.
2. Why the smackdown matters
The court found trade deficits aren’t an “unusual and extraordinary threat,” the legal threshold for IEEPA emergencies.
Tariffs had cranked up costs for importers like VOS Selections, the small wine business that led the suit.
3. White House response
Spokes-team called trade gaps a national emergency and vowed to appeal: “It’s not for unelected judges to decide.”
4. What’s next?
Appeal goes to the U.S. Court of Appeals, then maybe SCOTUS. Until then, the tariffs are in the dumpster.
Retailers and logistics firms (aka everyone who actually ships stuff) are breathing easier—for now.
5. The bigger picture
Congress technically owns tariff powers, but presidents keep stress-testing the limits via loophole laws. This ruling re-draws the line… at least until the next loophole.
