(The Center Square) – The Port of Los Angeles has come out in favor of a federal court’s ruling to pause President Donald Trump’s efforts to impose tariffs on numerous countries.
A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday that under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, Trump does not have the power to unilaterally impose tariffs. As previously reported by The Center Square, the court said the IEEPA grants the president power to regulate imports during emergency situations, whereas Trump’s tariffs fall under non-emergency legislation.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit paused the lower court’s ruling Thursday afternoon after the U.S. Department of Justice asked an appeals court to temporarily block the trade ruling. But Jeffrey Schwab, a senior counsel for the Liberty Justice Center, which brought the case on behalf of small businesses, said the stay was a procedural step. He said the plaintiffs are confident the Federal Circuit will ultimately deny the government’s motion.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a similar lawsuit April 16, arguing Trump did not have authority to import tariffs through the IEEPA.
In a statement Wednesday, Newsom said the court’s ruling agreed with his lawsuit and that Trump’s tariffs are unlawful because they have created chaos by hurting American families and businesses.
Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director, said Wednesday’s ruling adds to the whipsaw effect of information on tariffs that has been coming out of Washington since January.
However, the ruling brings hope for the future, Seroka said during an interview Thursday on Los Angeles radio station KNX.
“It’s not going to open up the gates of American imports just yet, but it is encouraging news,” Seroka said.
Seroka also said he found the ruling specifically interesting because the three judges on the panel were appointed by former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, as well as Trump during his first term.
With Trump’s tariffs not in effect, Seroka said the Port of Los Angeles was going to start excelling with manufacturing and orders.
“This supply chain is resilient. The workforce, the dock workers here in Los Angeles are ready to go. It’s just a matter of how we can get all of this going,” Seroka said.
Seroka said depending on how quickly the American importers can turn on these orders, the faster the Port of Los Angeles can get back to fully operating again.
“It could be weeks or months until we see volume pick up,” Seroka said.
