A US appeals court on Thursday ruled that the Trump administration can continue collecting its 10% global tariffs for now.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington found that "the federal government has made a sufficient showing that it is likely to succeed on the merits," according to an order.
Since February 24, 2026, the United States has imposed a 10% tariff on most imports from abroad. US President Donald Trump introduced the duties immediately after the US Supreme Court declared many of his previous tariffs unlawful.
The president then turned to an emergency solution, relying on a 1974 trade law that limits the collection of such duties to a maximum of 150 days.
Case may head to the Supreme Court
In early May, the Court of International Trade in New York concluded that Trump had exceeded his authority with the temporary 10% levy. The judges ruled that the US president had misinterpreted the trade law cited as the basis for the measure.
A few days later, however, an appeals court initially stayed the lower court's ruling - a decision it has now upheld. Among the plaintiffs suing the government are the state of Washington and two companies.
"While all parties make persuasive arguments, we ultimately conclude that the federal government is likely to suffer irreparable harm absent a stay," the appeals court said on Thursday.
The case could be headed to the Supreme Court.
