Monday, September 1, 2025 -A key adviser to President Donald Trump has suggested that tariffs introduced under his administration may not be permanent, after a federal appeals court struck down the “reciprocal duties” program.
The policy, which aimed to match U.S. tariffs with those imposed by foreign governments, has been a cornerstone of Trump’s economic agenda, pitched as a way to protect American industries. The court’s ruling now puts significant legal and political pressure on Trump’s camp to reframe its trade strategy.
The decision has ignited a heated response among Trump’s supporters and critics. Business groups welcomed the ruling, arguing that the tariff system created unnecessary costs for consumers and risks for exporters.
Trump allies, however, warned that undoing the duties would leave U.S. manufacturers vulnerable to unfair competition. The trade adviser’s softer tone appeared designed to reassure markets, signaling that while tariffs remain a preferred tool, they may not be as rigid or lasting as once claimed.
The ruling could reshape the trajectory of U.S. trade policy heading into the election season. Trump has made economic nationalism a pillar of his campaign, but the legal setback may force a recalibration in his rhetoric and future plans.
For global trading partners, the uncertainty creates both relief and unease relief that tariffs may ease, but unease over how the U.S. might seek to reassert its leverage through other measures.
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