Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A U.S. federal court has issued a landmark decision that challenges a central pillar of former President Donald Trump’s trade policy, ruling that the sweeping import tariffs imposed under the guise of an economic emergency were unlawful.

The court found that the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, along with several other duties introduced by the Trump administration without congressional approval, lacked legal validity.

Judges concluded that Trump had overstepped his constitutional authority, as the regulation of foreign trade falls exclusively within the powers of Congress.

The ruling pertains specifically to the 30% tariffs on goods from China, 25% duties on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a general 10% tariff applied to many other categories of products. Notably, tariffs on automobiles, steel, and aluminum were not included in the ruling, as they were imposed under a separate legislative framework.

The court noted that the legal basis cited by Trump did not authorize such tariffs and could not be used as a foundation for waging a trade war.

The White House has already filed an appeal. However, if the ruling is upheld, it could establish a significant legal precedent, sharply limiting a president’s ability to unilaterally impose economic sanctions or tariffs. Experts say the decision could reshape the future of U.S. trade policy and provide major relief for small and medium-sized businesses affected by price hikes.

The tariffs were introduced on 2 April at Trump’s direction, with the former president claiming they were necessary to combat so-called “economic aggression” and stem the flow of narcotics. However, the court found insufficient justification in either the alleged threats or the legal framework invoked. In addition to business groups, the lawsuit against the tariff policy was joined by 12 Democrat-led states.