1k
499
0
199
388
3471In what many are calling a major legal blow to President Donald Trump, a federal court struck down his sweeping tariffs that were imposed on countries around the world using emergency powers.
Progressive commentator David Pakman wrote on X, “It seems that when Trump loses, America wins.”
Court Ruling Slams the Brakes on Trump’s Trade Agenda
The court decision blocks tariffs Trump announced on what he called “Liberation Day,” using the 1977 emergency powers law to bypass Congress.
The ruling said Trump’s move was illegal and beyond presidential authority.
In his video titled “BREAKING: Trump’s tariffs blocked, ‘ILLEGAL’,” Pakman emphasized that the court ruled Trump’s tariff orders exceeded the authority granted to the president under the law.
He noted that the ruling froze tariffs not only on China, Mexico, and Canada, but also on nearly all U.S. trading partners.
The ruling came in response to two separate legal challenges, one by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of small businesses that import goods, and another by a coalition of U.S. state governments.
The court emphasized that the U.S. Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the sole authority to regulate trade.
The judges also blocked other Trump-era tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, which had been justified as responses to drug trafficking and illegal immigration.
However, the court did not address tariffs on specific goods like steel or autos, which fall under different laws.
Pakman called the tariffs a “reckless economic stunt” and argued that they were the cornerstone of Trump’s second-term economic plans.
He pointed out that even one of the judges on the panel was appointed by Trump himself.
Markets React, Businesses Breathe Easier
Pakman claimed global markets responded positively to the ruling, saying stock futures rose and international indexes jumped, though major financial outlets have not confirmed a direct connection.
American businesses welcomed the decision, saying it restored some sense of certainty.
Still, financial analysts noted that gains were limited by the expectation of a lengthy appeals process. According to Oxford Research, the effective U.S. tariff rate could have dropped to around 6% had the ruling held, but it remains closer to 15% after the appeals court paused the decision.
Pakman emphasized the irony: “When Trump’s economic policy is declared illegal, global markets rally. The Dow ticks up, the dollar stabilizes, businesses go, oh, what a relief.”
One person wrote on his post, “This is actually an out for Trump. He could just accept it and then mope for a while blaming the courts. The markets already have him figured out.”
Another person added, “The markets are relaxing, realizing this court decision will be overturned,” highlighting how even some Trump supporters accepted that markets prefer stability.
What Happens Next?
The Trump administration swiftly appealed the ruling, and a federal appeals court granted their request for a temporary stay.
The plaintiffs must respond by June 5, and the administration is due to respond by June 9.
This means the tariffs remain in place for now, despite the lower court’s ruling. Trump has indicated he may also pursue other legal avenues to reimpose or justify the tariffs.
New York Attorney General Letitia James praised the ruling, stating: “The law is clear: no president has the power to single-handedly raise taxes whenever they like.”
Jeffrey Schwab, senior counsel for the Liberty Justice Center, said the small businesses suing face severe harm, including disrupted supply chains and loss of customers.
“This is a direct threat to the very survival of these businesses,” he said.
Not the Final Word, But a Clear Message
Pakman acknowledged that the case could still go to the Supreme Court. But for now, he sees the ruling as a win for law, stability, and small businesses crushed by Trump’s tariffs.
“This wasn’t really a policy. This was an economic tantrum with global consequences,” Pakman said. “It’s being dismantled in court.”
Whether the ruling holds or not, some observers, including Pakman, viewed the initial reaction as optimistic, with hopes that businesses might get relief from Trump-era trade unpredictability.
For Pakman, that was enough to suggest that, at least this time, when Trump loses, America might win.
1k4990199
3883471
