Doubling of tariffs on steel imports from Turkey overruled by court

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled that President Trump acted illegally when he increased Section 232 tariffs on Turkish steel imports from 25 percent to 50 percent two years ago. The president doubled the tariff because imports had not declined “as much as expected.” Calling the tariffs “arbitrary and irrational,” the Court ruled that the president did not act within the required 90-day window from the time the Department of Commerce made its recommendation. This is the first time a federal court has restricted the Section 232 tariffs.