Trump's 10 Percent Global Tariff Hits Again in US Court

U.S. President Donald Trump (Anadolu)

JAKARTA - President Donald Trump's efforts to impose a global tariff of 10 percent are stalled in court again. The US federal court ruled that the policy was illegal and had no legal basis.

Citing Anadolu Agency, Friday, May 8, the ruling is the latest legal blow to Trump's agenda to raise import tariffs.

A three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled the case 2-1. The judge sided with Washington state and a group of small businesses that sued over the tariff policy.

In its ruling, the panel said Trump's proclamation to impose tariffs as a last resort after previous defeats was "invalid, and the tariffs imposed on the plaintiffs have no legal basis".

Trump tried to use the 10 percent tariff scheme after the US Supreme Court previously overturned his original tariff attempt. The defeat is said to be rare, given the composition of the US Supreme Court is known to be very conservative.

The court also granted a permanent injunction against Washington and the small group of plaintiffs.

"The public interest will be met with the permanent cessation order," the majority of the panel of judges wrote, quoted by Anadolu.

The Trump administration will almost certainly appeal. The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.