Appeals Court Pauses Ruling Against Trump’s China Tariffs

• May 30, 2025

Former U.S. President Donald Trump scored a temporary legal win on Thursday as an appeals court allowed his broad tariffs on Chinese imports to remain in place—for now—while legal proceedings continue.

The decision followed a ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade that blocked many of Trump’s import duties, stating that he had overstepped his presidential powers. However, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued what’s known as an administrative stay, which lets the tariffs continue while the case moves forward.

Trump, known for his tough stance on trade, welcomed the decision and blasted the lower court as “horrible.” He insisted that its ruling be overturned “quickly and decisively.” His administration has heavily relied on tariffs as a tool to pressure foreign governments, especially China, to negotiate better trade deals with the U.S.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade talks with China were currently “a bit stalled” and called for direct involvement from both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to resolve the issue. Bessent’s remarks came after both countries agreed to pause additional tariffs for 90 days following high-level talks in Geneva.

Trump’s tariff policies have faced strong pushback, not just internationally but also in U.S. courts. A federal judge in Washington, D.C., also found some of his tariffs unlawful, giving the administration two weeks to appeal. Despite legal setbacks, Trump and his aides remain defiant.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt criticized the judges involved, accusing them of misusing their power and attempting to undermine the president’s authority. She said the administration would fight back, possibly taking the case to the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and trade advisor Peter Navarro said the court challenges wouldn’t derail negotiations. Navarro added that several countries had expressed a willingness to continue trade talks.

The trade court’s ruling had struck down Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs, including those targeting Canada, Mexico, and China, but left intact 25% duties on steel, aluminum, and imported vehicles. Beijing, which had faced tariffs as high as 145% before temporary cuts, responded by calling for a complete removal of what it called “unilateral” and “wrongful” U.S. tariffs.

Legal experts say the outcome of the appeals process could hinge on how courts interpret the president’s authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The court warned that giving the president unchecked power to impose global tariffs would be unconstitutional.

Analysts believe the case could eventually reach the Supreme Court but say the ruling is unlikely to bring the U.S.–China trade war to a full stop.