WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) –- A court blocked most of President Donald Trump's tariffs put on imports from other countries.
It's a key part of the president's economic plan aimed at bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.
Five small businesses and 12 states sued the federal government arguing President Trump doesn't have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs across the board.
They say the power to tax rests with Congress. On Wednesday night, a court agreed.
President Trump imposed a tariff scheme intended to balance trade deficits and bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
“It's our declaration of economic independence,” the president said.
Almost two months later, a federal court confined the president's authority.
A unanimous three-judge panel wrote these tariffs "exceed any authority granted to the president."
The court blocked President Trump's 10% across-the-board tariffs on all imports. As well as, his "reciprocal" tariff scheme, up to 50% depending on the country and drug trafficking tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada.
Chinese goods got both, tariffed at a total of 145%. President Trump had already paused most of the tariffs leaving only the baseline and a 30% tariff on Chinese imports.
The ruling left tariffs in place the 25% tariffs on cars, car parts and foreign-made steel and aluminum.
The judges noted the president has the power to impose 15% tariffs for 150 days on imports from countries where the U.S. has a large trade deficit.
The Trump administration has already filed a notice planning to appeal to the Supreme Court.
