摘要：As Americans kicked off their long Labor Day weekend holiday on August 29, an unexpected news item hit them: The U.S. Court of App

ByAnthony Moretti

As Americans kicked off their long Labor Day weekend holiday on August 29, an unexpected news item hit them: The U.S. Court of Appeals had ruled that the crushing tariffs applied by U.S. President Donald Trump on nations near and far were illegal. Summarized briefly, the ruling stated that Trump had misinterpreted the laws he cited when he claimed to have the authority to levy tariffs.

Needless to say, the president did not act with grace or decorum upon hearing the news. On his social media account, he blasted what he called a Highly Partisan Appeals Court" for undermining the safety of the country because eliminating tariffs" would make us financially weak, and we have to be strong." He soon added that the Supreme Court would review the situation and make a final ruling.

Let's start there: The old saying that 'perception is reality' is an important and essential concept to remember. Fair or not, the perception that millions of Americans have at the moment is that the nation's highest Court will approve whatever the president wants to do. Keep in mind; the Supreme Court ruled last year that any action carried out by the President of the United States can be illegal when it falls within the bounds of his official decision-making authority. Without a doubt, government lawyers will remind the justices of that when they argue the merits of tariffs.

In addition, because Trump appointed three of the nine members and because the Court leans conservative, the image that many Americans have is that there is no independence in that body. Spin that forward, and should the justices rule that the tariffs are legal, the sense that the Court is in the president's back pocket will be reinforced. And should the Court affirm that the tariffs are illegal, Trump could respond by mentioning that 2024 ruling referenced above and refuse to follow the Court's decision.

That could trigger a constitutional crisis, which is beyond the purpose of this editorial.

Trump critics enthusiastically jumped on August 29 night's, noting that a president who has overreached on so many decisions finally was slapped down. But was he? The Appeals Court ruling was7-4, meaning there was support for the president. And in the dissenting opinion, the judges noted that the president always has broad powers, especially in foreign affairs, and issuing tariffs is consistent with that authority. They added that previous Supreme Court rulings also supported the legality of any president issuing tariffs. Perhaps the crux of the issue going forward is whether the president's claims that an ongoing national crisis – the nation's financial health – justifies the broad array of tariffs.

Meanwhile, what happens to Trump's trade agenda? In the short term, nothing. Trump did point out in his social media response that the tariffs remain in place; the Appeals Court ruling dodged the issue of shutting them down. He will – correctly – demand that the U.S. Treasury continue to collect tariff-created dollars, and he will continue to insist that he has the best answers to prevent America from falling off the financial cliff.

Multiple economists and international organizations are warning that America is dragging most of the world toward a financial cliff due to tariffs. Consider what the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developmentreportedabout three months ago: Because of tariffs, U.S. growth would decrease to about 2.2 percent this year and to as little as 1.6 percent in 2026. Canada is likely to of no more than 0.7 percent this year, and Mexico is expected to experience growth of no more than 0.7 percent this year, but is also expected to see negative growth this year and next. For what it is worth, the OECD argues that China should avoid the worst of the tariff misery because it has spread trade across other regions of the world.

At the end of the day, the Appeals Court ruling dictate. A unanimous decision would have made it difficult for the Supreme Court to overrule it, and Trump's anger might have been taken less seriously. However, a split decision affirmed that there is for the Court to maneuver. And he appear on national television or engage with audiences.

April 2, 2025, will be one of the most important days in the second Trump administration. That was "Liberation Day," the day the president promised that America was taking control of its financial future by demanding allies and foes appropriately pay for being able to do business within the United States. Confusion and down, fluctuating financial moments have followed. The day that the Supreme Court announces its decision on Trump's tariffs will either be Liberation Day" for the many countries dealing with those tariffs or it will be remembered as something more like Affirmation Day," a recognition that any President of the United States has broad authority to issue tariffs across the globe.

Anthony Moretti, a special commentator for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Department of Communication and Organizational Leadership at Robert Morris University in the U.S.

来源：中国网一点号