The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit convened in Washington on Thursday to hear oral arguments on whether President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs on most imported goods. The consolidated cases, led by VOS Selections, Inc. and a coalition of 12 Democratic-led states, contend that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not permit a president to levy broad tariffs, even during a declared national emergency. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled on 28 May that the tariffs were unlawful and any interpretation of IEEPA that grants unlimited tariff authority is unconstitutional. The government appealed, and the Federal Circuit allowed the duties to remain in force while it reviews the case. All active judges—eight appointed by Democratic presidents and three by Republicans—participated in Thursday’s en banc session, but they are not expected to rule before the tariffs are scheduled to rise on 1 Aug. Trump initially set a baseline 10 % tariff on most imports in April and plans steeper rates beginning Friday for trading partners that have not struck new agreements with Washington. The administration argues the levies are necessary to counter persistent trade deficits and curb illicit fentanyl and undocumented immigration, while opponents say those rationales fall outside the “unusual and extraordinary” threats contemplated by IEEPA. The losing side is widely expected to seek swift Supreme Court review, leaving U.S. businesses and trading partners facing continued uncertainty over tariff policy.