In an unexpected judicial turn, the Court of Appeals of the Federal Circuit of the United States He has temporarily reinstated the ability of President Donald Trump to impose global tariffsafter suspending a previous failure, just a few hours earlier, that considered them illegal. This decision reopens the debate on one of the most aggressive economic policies of the president, with impacts that, yes or yes, will affect international trade, prices and, Of course, to the ecommerce sector.
Of the blocking to the reactivation in 24 hours
Yesterday we have breakfast with an opinion of the United States International Trade Court (CIT) that declared unconstitutional Tariffs imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Law (IEEPA). According to this court, There was no legal basis To impose 25% tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico, or from 20% to those of China, nor for the so -called “reciprocal tariffs” applied discretionally to different countries around the world during the so -called “day of liberation” (yes, the one in which Trump appeared in the White House with a gigantic plank between his hands).
However, in less than 24 hours, the Court of Appeals He has paused that resolution, temporarily returning to Trump the ability to apply such taxesrequesting written arguments of both parties for the beginning of next month.
The Liberty Justice Center, which represents the plaintiff companies, described the suspension as a “procedural step” and is confident in reverse the decision arguing the “irreparable damage” that these tariffs cause to their represented.
What is at stake?
For the ecommerce sector, The return of tariffs It implies a latent threat to the cost of imported products to the United States, particularly those from Asia, Mexico and Canada, two key regions in the supply chain of many North American online stores.
Platforms that depend on Chinese suppliers or do dropshipping from Asia could face important costs. Here are Chinese online giants such as omnipresent Shein or Temubut also to a large number of products from that country and that compete for cost in the US even Amazon was directly affected by having to rethink its haul model. DTC brands that import products from Canada or Mexico could see their margins affected. The final consumer would also suffer, by moving these costs to sales prices.
But it is not only affecting American ecommerce. As we have seen since that infamous April day in which Trump announced its measures, the entire global ecommerce is in check. As we explain in “Trump tariffs impact global ecommerce”, these protectionist measures directly affect the Spanish vendors exporting to the US., especially in sectors such as fashion, food and drinks (wines and oils), which will see cost increases that their less competitive products could make compared to local alternatives or countries with more favorable treaties.
In addition, Spanish companies that sell Chinese products in the US will suffer especially for high tariffs imposed on the Asian country, forcing them to choose between raising prices or reducing margins, compromising the profitability and operability of the business. An increase in customs complexity and logistics costs is also expected.
Tariffs, butterfly effect and global distrust: the impact of Trump's commercial policy
From his social truth network, Trump denounced that the original ruling “undermined presidential power.” The return of this protectionist narrative is not only an electoral symbol, but also a source of volatility for markets and companies operating in a globalized environment, where regulatory stability is key to planning inventories, prices and logistics operations.
In any case, the truth is that recent tariff decisions promoted by Donald Trump They ignore the current interdependence of global supply chains. Imposing high taxes on components manufactured in China not only affects Asian exporters, but also more expensive US companies such as Apple or Microsoft, For example, whose production depends largely on key parts manufactured in China.
This domino effect can raise global prices in sectors such as technology, both in the US and in international markets, due to the increase in basic components such as chips, screens or batteries. Assembly countries such as India, Mexico or Vietnam will also be harmed by the increase in raw materials.
This scenario shows the fragility of international economic balance and underlines the importance of normative stability and legal certainty to promote sustainable investment decisions. Trump's sites of Trump's commercial policy generate uncertainty in the markets and push companies to rethink their logistics chains, with possible impacts on the eCommerce, which could be forced to regionalize suppliers and diversify risks.
Surprisingly Trump is playing to ignore that Legal stability is essential for the proper functioning of the global economyespecially in sectors such as international trade and ecommerce. It allows companies to plan in the long term, invest with confidence and operate with a controlled risk level. When the rules of the game change abruptly, as occurs with Trump's tariff policies, uncertainty is generated, operating costs are more expensive and commercial relations deteriorate. In addition, legal certainty protects the rights of companies and consumers, encourages innovation and facilitates digital expansion.
In an environment as interconnected as the current one, Regulatory coherence is as important as the competitiveness of products.
And now what?
The Court of Appeals has established a rapid review calendar, so it is likely to know new resolutions in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, importing companies and the retail digital sector must prepare for an uncertain environment. From a digital marketing and trade perspective, this situation reinforces the need to:
Diversify suppliers, looking for local alternatives or in areas without tariff risk. Implement flexible pricing strategies to cushion the impact of possible increases. Bet on transparency in communication to the final customer, explaining possible changes in prices or delivery times.
Image: GPT Plus
