Appeals Court Lets Trump’s 10% Global Tariff Stand

A consequential court decision that keeps tariffs in place on virtually all imports, directly affecting US consumer prices, businesses and the broader inflation picture heading into the midterms.

The Morning Brief Desk · Friday, June 12, 2026 · Updated June 18, 2026 · How the Brief is made

Sources: AP News, The Hill, Reason

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the government can keep collecting a 10% tariff on nearly all imports while legal challenges proceed. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit found the levy likely legal, staying enforcement of a lower-court decision that struck it down. The tariff remains in place until the court issues its final ruling.

President Trump imposed the worldwide tariff in February under Section 122 of the Trade Act. Critics argue the provision does not authorize duties of this scope. Legal scholars have questioned the stay on both substantive and procedural grounds. The ruling keeps duties on virtually every category of imported goods. Economists are watching what that means for consumer prices heading into November’s midterms.

Sources

AP News
Appeals court says U.S. government can keep collecting 10% tariffs for now
A federal court ruled the government can keep collecting the 10% worldwide tariff imposed in February while legal challenges proceed.
The Hill
Appeals court rules Trump’s 10 percent global tariff can stay, for now
The federal appeals court found the tariff likely legal, allowing it to remain in place until the court issues its final ruling.
Reason
Federal Circuit Stays Enforcement of Ruling Against Trump’s Section 122 Tariffs
Legal analysis of the stay, arguing the ruling is flawed on substantive and procedural grounds.

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