A federal appeals panel on Thursday appeared skeptical of U.S. President Donald Trump's argument that a 1977 law historically used for sanctioning enemies or freezing their assets gave him the power to impose tariffs.

A top administration official signaled confidence that President Donald Trump’s trade plans will survive even if the sweeping global tariffs that pushed other countries to the negotiating table are ultimately deemed illegal.

Donato concluded Trump's order retaliated against unions deemed critical of the president and that had sued over his efforts to overhaul the government, including the mass firings of agency employees, violating their right to free speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.