The resurrection of checks and balances in the United States forces Trump to rein in arbitrary tariff hikes and threatening actions, which is welcome news for Taiwan and other countries. The US Court of International Trade ruled against Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, effectively ending the brief 'Trump Emperor' era. Over the past four months, the global order was thrown into chaos due to Trump's signing of numerous executive orders, but the US system of separation of powers is gradually returning, marking the end of a period of unilateral power.

In late May, Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill Act' faced a narrow vote in the House of Representatives, and the upcoming Senate deliberations will be a tough battle. Over the last four months, Republican lawmakers have largely abandoned their checks on Trump, avoiding criticism in hopes of achieving political victory through this bill. However, Trump’s extreme comments against former President Biden have resulted in unified opposition from Democrats.

Tariffs are fundamentally a congressional power, but as the trend toward zero tariffs took hold, Congress had gradually ceded this power to the White House. Trump’s arbitrary tariff strategies have not only turned steadfast allies like Canada, Japan, and Europe into adversaries, but also caused significant operational difficulties for major corporations such as Walmart, Apple, and General Motors. Now, Congress is regaining its power of checks and balances to prevent unilateral authority from the White House.

The Court's ruling that Trump’s tariff measures exceeded his authority strengthens the judicial system's check on executive power. There are still six other legal actions ongoing against Trump’s trade policies, with multiple business associations and thirteen state governments filing lawsuits against him. Moving forward, the increased scrutiny from Congress over Trump's administration will ensure that the executive power does not act unilaterally.

The separation of powers is the highest value in US political operation, ensuring that the overwhelming power does not sacrifice the greatest benefit for the citizenry. Over more than two centuries, this system has functioned through repeated public debates in courts and Congress to prevent presidential overreach and safeguard the welfare of the people. The revival of checks and balances will compel Trump to become more defensive, reducing his aggressive behavior, which is undoubtedly good news for all countries and businesses, including Taiwan.