Just Days After Being Struck Down, Trump’s Tariffs Are Temporarily Reinstated — Here’s What It Means for You
In the latest twist of the U.S. trade saga, the “Liberation Day” tariffs—announced by former President Trump and ruled unlawful just days ago—have now been temporarily reinstated by a U.S. Appeals Court.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that the administration exceeded its constitutional authority by imposing sweeping tariffs under emergency powers, specifically the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs had applied to a wide array of imports, including goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, based on Trump’s claims of national emergency linked to fentanyl trafficking.
But less than 24 hours later, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit stepped in—granting a temporary stay that reactivates the tariffs for now, while the legal process continues. The court has set deadlines of June 5 for plaintiffs (a coalition of small businesses) and June 9 for the federal government to submit responses.
No formal explanation was given by the appeals court, and the future of the tariffs now hinges on the outcome of this legal back-and-forth.
So, Where Does This Leave Importers?
In a word: uncertainty. And for importers, uncertainty equals risk—operational, financial, and strategic.
At Proboxx, we work with clients to prepare for exactly this kind of disruption. Whether or not these tariffs remain in place long term, the lesson is clear: you can’t build a resilient business on trade policy guesswork.
Here’s what we’re advising right now:
✅ Re-evaluate sourcing partners in low-risk trade regions
✅ Accelerate shipments ahead of any permanent rulings
✅ Document tariff exposure—you may be eligible for refunds with interest if the court ultimately rules these duties were unlawful
✅ Lock in freight rates to protect margins in the face of volatility
What About the Markets?
Financial markets initially welcomed the trade court’s Wednesday ruling, which signaled potential relief from costly duties. But after the appeals court’s Thursday move, Wall Street largely shrugged—likely because the back-and-forth has become a pattern.
As one analyst put it, “The market has become numb to the tariff issue because the changes occur from multiple parties on a daily basis.” Still, for supply chain leaders and eComm sellers, these changes can’t be ignored—because they hit directly at margins, cash flow, and delivery timelines.
Bigger Picture: Trade Policy Turmoil
Trade experts say the situation throws the White House’s policy into turmoil, and it may make other countries hesitant to finalize negotiations during this 90-day legal limbo.
While some tariffs—like those on steel and aluminum—remain unaffected (as they were enacted under different legal grounds), the IEEPA-based tariffs are far from settled.
Want to safeguard your business in this chaos?
Book a free import audit with Proboxx and let’s make sure your supply chain is ready for anything Washington throws at it next.