On the evening of May 2, 2026, the U.S. Court of International Trade issued a ruling invalidating the 10% global tariff imposed by former President Donald Trump, according to Kyodo News. The decision came after months of legal debate over the constitutionality and presidential authority to impose blanket tariffs on imported goods without distinction by country or trade partner.
The court ruled that the 10% tariff exceeded the executive branch's authority, as it lacked sufficient evidence of a national security threat and violated required legal procedures under U.S. trade law. The judges emphasized that a "uniform" tariff applied to all countries importing into the U.S. represents a heavy-handed intervention in global trade, inconsistent with U.S. commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The move sent shockwaves through U.S. politics, immediately drawing reactions from both Trump allies and Democrats. The ruling comes amid repeated calls from U.S. businesses and trade partners to repeal the order, citing higher goods prices, supply chain disruptions, and financial market instability. The lawsuit was initiated by major corporations and trade associations, arguing that the president lacks the authority to impose sweeping import tariffs without demonstrating a direct threat to national security.
The trade court's ruling may be appealed to the Supreme Court, but it temporarily nullifies the tariff order. This means that imports into the U.S. from many countries will no longer be subject to the 10% levy until a final decision is reached. Observers expect the ruling to positively impact trade activity and ease global trade tensions that escalated since early 2026.
