The US court blocked Trump’s duties, the decision can change the US trade policy.
The US Federal Court blocked the application of President Donald Trump’s business duties on Wednesday and decided that by imposing extensive duties, the President had exceeded his powers. TASR reports, according to AP, AFP, BBC stations and Politico magazine.
The White House chief, April 2, introduced extensive duties to most of the United States’ business partners, with a 10 percent base rate, and higher duties to China and the European Union.
A court decision
The Court ruled that the Emergency Measures Act referred to the White House does not provide the President with unilateral powers to impose duties on almost all countries. The court based in Manhattan stated that the US Constitution has granted Congress exclusive powers to regulate trade with other countries and these powers are not replaced by the President’s authority to protect the economy, the BBC reports.
According to AP, the decision came after several lawsuits claiming that Trump had exceeded his powers, caused the US trade policy to depend on its moods, and caused economic chaos.
Arguments and consequences
“The regulations on global and retaliatory duties exceed any powers granted to the President of IEPA to regulate imports through customs duties,” wrote the court, referring to the International Act on Emergency Economic powers of 1977.
Trump’s duties questioned seven actions. As the AP explains, duties must usually be approved by Congress, but Trump claims to have the power to act on this matter because US trade deficits represent a national emergency.
According to the BBC, the Trump government may appeal against the decision.
