BusinessMay 8, 2026

Trade Court Blocks Trump’s 10% Global Tariff

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② Start Lesson

Key Vocabulary

tariff/ˈtærɪf/

A tax on goods brought into a country.

"The company paid a tariff on the imported toys."

importer/ɪmˈpɔːrtər/

A person or business that brings goods into a country.

"The importer shipped parts from overseas."

appeal/əˈpiːl/

To ask a higher court to review a decision.

"The government can appeal the trade court ruling."

Listening

Trade Court Blocks Trump’s 10% Global Tariff

The Court of International Trade in New York ruled the 10% global tariffs illegal on May 7, 2026. The court blocked the tariffs after small businesses and the state of Washington sued.

The tariffs had been set by the president under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and began on February 24, 2026. The court said the tariffs were "invalid" and "unauthorized by law." The decision stopped collection of the 10% duty for the named plaintiffs: the state of Washington and two companies, Burlap & Barrel and Basic Fun!. Other importers may still pay the duty while the government appeals. The appeal would go next to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

117 words

Quiz

1. Who ruled the tariffs illegal?

2. What did the court find illegal?

3. When did the court rule?

Reading Practice

Read the article from the Listening section aloud. Your AI teacher will give you pronunciation feedback.

Discussion

Do you follow news about prices or taxes on imported goods where you live? How do they affect you?

Have you ever bought something that became more expensive because of an extra fee or tax? What happened?

What do you think when a court stops a government rule? Does it make you feel safer or worried?