NEW YORK (AP) — The centerpiece of President Donald Trump's economic policy — sweeping taxes on global imports — is under legal assault again.
The U.S. Court of International Trade, a specialized court in New York, is hearing oral arguments Friday in an attempt to overturn the temporary tariffs Trump turned to after the Supreme Court in February struck down his preferred choice — even bigger, even more sweeping tariffs.
In his first attempt to impose global tariffs, the president last year invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), using the law to declare America's longstanding trade deficit a national emergency and to impose double-digit worldwide taxes on imports to combat it. He interpreted the law broadly to justify tariffs of whatever size he wanted, whenever he wanted to impose them, on whatever country he wanted to target.
The Supreme Court struck those tariffs down on Feb. 20, saying IEEPA did not authorize the use of tariffs to counter national emergencies.
But Trump had alternatives to IEEPA. The quickest option was Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to impose global tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days, after which congressional approval is needed to extend them. After his defeat at the Supreme Court, Trump quickly announced 10% Section 122 tariffs. He said he'd raise them to the maximum 15% but hasn't yet done so. The tariffs are scheduled to expire July 24.
Section 122 is aimed at what it calls “fundamental international payments problems.’’ At issue is whether that wording covers trade deficits, the gap between what the U.S. sells other countries and what it buys from them.
The provision arose from the financial crises that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s when the U.S. dollar was tied to gold. Other countries were dumping dollars in exchange for gold at a set rate, risking a collapse of the U.S. currency and chaos in financial markets. But the dollar is no longer linked to gold, so critics say Section 122 is obsolete.
Awkwardly for Trump, his own Justice Department argued in a court filing last year that the president had needed to invoke IEEPA because Section 122 did “not have any obvious application’’ in fighting trade deficits, which it called “conceptually distinct’’ from payments problems.
Awkwardly for the plaintiffs challenging his use of the temporary tariffs, the trade court itself wrote last year in its own decision striking down IEEPA tariffs that Trump didn’t need them because Section 122 was available to counter trade deficits.
Paul Wiseman reported from Washington.
AP Writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters during a news conference in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A zoom lens and slow shutter speed technique shows President Donald Trump speaking with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 10, 2026--
HomeVestors® presented a check for $20,000 to Treasure Valley Habitat for Humanity in honor of a Boise home winning The Ugliest House Of The Year® 2025. The national contest highlights the most dramatic “befores” and “afters” from the houses purchased and renovated by HomeVestors of America’s franchises around the country, and husband and wife team Paul and Tanice Myers won the 19 th annual heated competition.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260410112515/en/
“It meant a lot to feel the enthusiasm and care HomeVestors brought to this project,” said Janessa Chastain, Chief Executive Officer Treasure Valley Habitat for Humanity. “Events like this don’t come together without a whole team of people willing to go above and beyond. It was clear every step of the way how invested everyone was in making a difference in our community.”
Through Treasure Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative, women in the Boise area have formed teams comprised of friends, colleagues and other associates to raise money and other resources to support Habitat and help build homes. Many Women Build volunteers were on-hand for the HomeVestors check presentation with other guests from the community joining to celebrate the donation at an existing Women Build project.
“The stars aligned beautifully this year with a women-owned business winning The Ugliest House Of The Year competition, which also helped bring attention to the Women Build initiative,” added Joshua Waltzer, Chief Executive Officer of HomeVestors. “This is the fifth year we have partnered with a local Habitat for Humanity chapter to donate in honor of the annual winner, and we couldn’t be happier with how our two missions have aligned as we both work towards a shared vision of a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to live.”
HomeVestors marks a notable milestone this year as it celebrates 30 years as America’s Trusted Home Buyer. Founded in 1996, HomeVestors helped pioneer the professional real estate investor industry and the modern “house-flipping” business, and today the We Buy Ugly Houses® company helps revitalize communities across 47 states. The dual celebrations at a Women Build project during Women’s History Month also highlights the opportunities HomeVestors creates for women owners like Tanice.
About HomeVestors of America, Inc.
For 30 years, HomeVestors of America, Inc. has recruited, trained and supported its 900 independently owned and operated HomeVestors franchisees that specialize in building businesses based on buying, rehabbing, selling, and holding residential properties. The largest professional house buying franchise in the U.S. with more than 150,000 houses bought since 1996, HomeVestors is known as the We Buy Ugly Houses people, and strives to make a positive impact in each of the 47 states and the District of Columbia, in which it has franchises.
Over the years, the Myers have beautified more than 500 houses with their team of eight, bonding with grateful homeowners and neighbors as they caringly breathe new life into the homes they renovate. Treasure Valley Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with the community to provide decent, affordable homes and to promote responsible homeownership for people in need.
