The Court of International Commerce considered illegitimate some of duties introduced by Donald Trump Through extraordinary powers, opening a new front in the long battle between the White House and the judicial system.
The president reacted by boiling the decision as “politics” and “horrible”, while the administration immediately moved to obtain a suspension pending the appeal.
To date, the duties on the steel (25%), on aluminum (10%), on imported cars (up to 25%) and those against China based on the 1974 Trade Act of 1974 remain in force. The generalized bodies of 10%were instead canceled, those of 25%on Mexico and Canada related to immigration, and 20%additional against China for the Feneryl issue.
The rates that Washington continues to apply
The Court’s decision did not concern the duties applied with previous regulatory tools, such as the 232 section and the 301 section.
The rates of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum, introduced in 2018 and therefore remain in force and reactivate in 2025 For reasons, according to Trump, of national security.
The duties on foreign cars remain, which can reach up to 25%, justified with the same regulatory mechanism.
Not even the Rates against China Taken with the 1974 trade trade, which affect about 250 billion dollars of Chinese goods with average rates of around 15%.
What are the duties canceled by the US Court: the list
The Court, on the other hand, declared illegal and to block all the duties introduced by Trump through executive orders founded on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) In the absence of authorization of the congress. In particular, the sentence canceled:
- the global duty of 10% on almost all imports, part of the Liberation Day Tariffs plan;
- 25% of duties on Mexico and Canada, motivated by immigration and drug trafficking;
- 20% of additional duty against China, motivated by the Fentanyl crisis.
For the judges, the reasons given are not enough to justify the use of the powers provided for by the AIEPA. The unbalanced foreign trade, the migratory pressure and the Fentanyl question do not fall, according to the Court, among the exceptional threats that allow the president to climb over the congress.
What changes for American companies and consumers
In light of the sentence, for American companies and consumers it doesn’t change everything, but something yes. Companies will continue to pay relevant duties on steel, aluminum, cars and on a vast share of goods imported from China. These costs, already widely incorporated into the budgets and supply chains, remain.
What changeon the other hand, is the exclusion of three categories of duties introduced unilaterally and judged without legal basis. If the sentence is confirmed, these duties can no longer be imposed without a parliamentary passage.
This means that dozens of billions of dollars of imports would return free from superctasses, with a potential lightening of costs for many supply chains.
From the point of view of consumers, the effect immediate is limited. But if the canceled rates really disappeared in the coming months, the prices of some products (especially not strategic but high rotation assets) could stabilize or reduce slightly.
What changes for Italy after the decision of the Court
For Italy the impact is indirect and minimum. American duties on steel, aluminum and car remain in force. Italian companies that produce in the United States or export to that market will continue to operate with increased costs and compressed margins, exactly as before the sentence.
The part suspended by the Court, namely i Generalized bodies of 10%he would also hit Italy, together with all the other commercial partners of Washington. Their removal, if confirmed, avoids a widespread aggravation on the Italian exports of medium -value goods (fashion, food, light mechanics, etc.), which represent a substantial share of the inter -market.
The suspension strengthens the European Union in negotiations with Washington, braking the expansion of unilateral measures.
Trump against the judges: the furious reaction to the decision on duties
Donald Trump defined the sentence “horrible” and “politics“, Accusing the judges of wanting to destroy the executive power. He announced immediate appeal to the Supreme Court and accused the judiciary of”judicial coup“.
The majority of the Republican Party has lined up with him, while the Democrats celebrated the decision as a restoration of the state of law and brake on the abuse of power.
