Yellen, economists tell court Trump tariffs exceed authority

This legal challenge strikes at the core of executive tariff authority, framing the issue as a separation-of-powers question rather than a trade dispute. If the court accepts the economists' reasoning, it could constrain future tariff actions regardless of the administration in power, reshaping how trade policy is enacted. The involvement of a former Treasury secretary and Fed chair lends institutional weight to the argument, signaling that the concern extends beyond partisan lines. What matters next is whether the appeals court narrows or rejects the 'balance of payments' interpretation, which would set a precedent for the legal boundaries of unilateral trade measures.