If you're not entirely sure what happened over the last day or two — and what happens next — with President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" and "fentanyl" tariff schemes, you're not alone.
On May 28th, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed broad tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court ruled the import duties require congressional approval, and without it, the tariffs are illegal.
In addition to the April 2nd "Liberation Day" tariffs, the decision also applies to the "fentanyl" tariffs imposed under IEEPA on Canada and Mexico in early March.
The ruling technically stopped the tariffs that U.S. Customs and Border Protection have been collecting; however, the Trump administration quickly appealed the decision and received an emergency stay to maintain the tariffs during the legal process. It's possible the matter will go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and it's anyone's guess how long the case may take.
Other tariffs, including those levied against steel and aluminum, also remain in place.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney commented on the U.S. court ruling, saying he welcomes the decision.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says he welcomes the decision by the U.S. Court of International Trade to strike down President Donald Trump's broad-based tariffs on most countries. https://t.co/b7Z5C4hZ8Z
— CityNews Toronto (@CityNewsTO) May 29, 2025
