Business
US court rules many of Trump’s global tariffs are illegal
A US appeals court has ruled that most tariffs issued by US President Donald Trump are illegal, setting up a potential legal showdown that could upend his foreign policy agenda.
The ruling affects Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs, imposed on most countries around the world, as well as other tariffs slapped on China, Mexico and Canada.
In a 7-4 decision, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected Trump’s argument that the tariffs were permitted under an emergency economic powers act, calling them “invalid as contrary to law”.
The ruling will not take effect until 14 October to give the administration time to ask the Supreme Court to take up the case.
Trump criticised the appeals court and its ruling on Truth Social, saying: “If allowed to stand, this Decision would literally destroy the United States of America.”
“Today a Highly Partisan Appeals Court incorrectly said that our Tariffs should be removed, but they know the United States of America will win in the end,” he wrote.
“If these Tariffs ever went away, it would be a total disaster for the Country. It would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong.”
Trump had justified the tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which gives the president the power to act against “unusual and extraordinary” threats.
Trump has declared a national emergency on trade, arguing that a trade imbalance is harmful to US national security. But the court ruled that imposing tariffs is not within the president’s mandate, and that setting levies is “a core Congressional power”.
In its judgement, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected Trump’s argument that the tariffs were permitted under his emergency economic powers, calling the levies “invalid as contrary to law”.
The 127-page ruling says that the IEEPA “neither mentions tariffs (or any of its synonyms) nor has procedural safeguards that contain clear limits on the President’s power to impose tariffs”.
The power to impose taxes and tariffs therefore continues to belong to Congress, the court ruled, and the IEEPA does not override this.
The court wrote that it is unlikely that when Congress passed the law in 1977, it was intended to “depart from its past practice and grant the President unlimited authority to impose tariffs”.
“Whenever Congress intends to delegate to the President the authority to impose tariffs, it does so explicitly, either by using unequivocal terms like tariff and duty, or via an overall structure which makes clear that Congress is referring to tariffs,” the judges wrote.
The ruling comes in response to two lawsuits filed by small businesses and a coalition of US states.
The lawsuits were filed after Trump’s executive orders in April, which imposed a baseline 10% tariff on almost every country in the world, as well as “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries. Trump declared the date to be America’s “liberation day” from unfair trade policies.
In May, the New York-based Court of International Trade declared the tariffs were unlawful. That decision was put on hold during the appeal process.
In addition to those tariffs, Friday’s ruling also strikes down tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, which Trump argues are necessary to stop the importation of drugs.
However, the decision does not apply to other tariffs, like those imposed on steel and aluminium, which were brought in under a different presidential authority.
Ahead of the ruling, lawyers for the White House argued that invalidating the tariffs would lead to a 1929-style financial collapse, a stock market crash which led to the Great Depression.
“Suddenly revoking the President’s tariff authority under IEEPA would have catastrophic consequences for our national security, foreign policy, and economy,” they wrote in a letter.
“The President believes that our country would not be able to pay back the trillions of dollars that other countries have already committed to pay, which could lead to financial ruin.”
The ruling also raises questions about deals some nations agreed with the US for reduced tariffs rates.
The latest development means the case is now almost certain to head to the US Supreme Court, which has in recent years taken a sceptical view toward presidents who try to implement sweeping new policies that are not directly authorised by Congress.
During Joe Biden’s presidency, the court expanded on what it called the “major questions doctrine” to invalidate Democratic efforts to use existing laws to limit greenhouse gas emissions by power plants and to forgive student loan debt for millions of Americans.
The top court’s nine justices, if they agree to consider the case, could weigh whether Trump’s expansive tariff programme is another example of presidential overreach or if it is sufficiently grounded in law and presidential authority.
Even though the appellate court handed the president a defeat, the White House may take solace in the fact that only three of the court’s 11 judges were appointed by Republicans.
The Supreme Court has six Republican appointees, including three who were selected by Trump himself.
The launch of a dedicated wildlife unit at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is expected to deliver significant economic benefits by improving aviation safety, strengthening eco-tourism and enhancing Sri Lanka’s investment appeal, Wildlife Conservation Department Director General Ranjan Marasinghe said.
Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited, Marasinghe said the initiative links conservation directly with national development and revenue generation.
“This is more than an administrative step—it is a forward-looking initiative that aligns conservation, aviation safety and national development in a single strategic effort,” he said.
He noted that wildlife management at airports is globally recognised as essential for reducing bird strikes and wildlife-related disruptions, which can lead to costly repairs, delays and operational losses.
By proactively managing such risks, the Mattala Wildlife Unit is expected to lower potential costs for airlines and airport operators while improving efficiency and confidence among carriers considering future operations.
Marasinghe said the airport’s proximity to premier tourism destinations such as Yala National Park and Udawalawe National Park, together with marine tourism opportunities including Blue Whale watching, gives Mattala a strong commercial advantage.
“This convergence of aviation and wildlife tourism creates an extraordinary opportunity,” he said, adding that the airport has the potential to become a major gateway for high-value eco-tourism.
Industry observers note that wildlife tourists generally spend more on guided safaris, hotels, transport and local experiences, generating stronger foreign exchange earnings and employment opportunities for surrounding communities.
Marasinghe said integrating environmental standards into airport operations would also improve Sri Lanka’s global image at a time when investors and international travellers increasingly value sustainability.
“By integrating environmental considerations into airport operations, we position Sri Lanka more favourably on the global stage, demonstrating that we are a nation committed to sustainability, responsibility and innovation,” he said.
He expressed hope that the Mattala model would be replicated at other international airports, creating long-term savings, stronger environmental governance and wider economic returns.
The Director General said the Department of Wildlife Conservation remains committed to supporting the national economy through new and meaningful avenues while protecting Sri Lanka’s natural assets.
“Conservation must also contribute to development,” he said, stressing that protecting biodiversity and generating growth can go hand in hand.
By Ifham Nizam
Aitken Spence Elevators, in collaboration with CINEC Campus, recently held the Certificate Awarding Ceremony for the latest batch of trainees of the Elevator Serviceman Course at the Elevator Training Centre (ETC). The graduates were awarded their NVQ Level 3 certifications, marking a significant milestone in their professional journey within Sri Lanka’s vertical transportation industry.
The certification programme was developed in partnership with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and the Ministry of Vocational Training & Skills Development, ensuring trainees received industry-recognised qualifications, alongside strong practical competencies. The ceremony was attended by directors of both Aitken Spence and CINEC Campus, as well as staff members, lecturers, and invited guests of the graduating students
Anuka Prashan Pieris was recognised as the Most Outstanding Student of the batch in appreciation of his exceptional performance and commitment throughout the programme. The Elevator Training Centre plays a vital role in addressing the growing demand for skilled elevator service technicians through structured training and hands-on learning. The facility features Sri Lanka’s first Elevator Training Tower, offering trainees practical exposure aligned with both local and international standards.
All graduates of the current batch have already commenced their careers as technicians and supervisors at Aitken Spence Elevators. Their seamless transition into the workforce reflects the programme’s strong emphasis on developing job-ready professionals capable of contributing effectively from day one.
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA– Sterling Steels (Pvt) Ltd, a premier manufacturer of high-quality globally renowned steel roofing & cladding, announced it has been honored with a prestigious Merit Award at the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) Annual Product Awards 2026. The national recognition was awarded in the highly competitive Zinc-Aluminium Coated Profile Steel Sheet category, underscoring the company’s dedication to excellence, innovation, and superior quality in the Sri Lankan construction industry.
The award was presented during a grand ceremony held at the esteemed Nelum Pokuna Theatre, a key event in the nation’s architectural and construction calendar. The SLIA Annual Product Awards are widely regarded as a benchmark for quality and design excellence, with products rigorously evaluated by a panel of distinguished architects and industry experts. Receiving this Merit Award positions Sterling Steels among the top-tier suppliers of building materials in the country.
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