<h1>President defends high unilateral tariffs as necessary leverage to stop exploitation and secure domestic economic gains</h1> The U.S. president defended high unilateral tariffs as necessary leverage after a federal appeals court ruled most of those tariffs illegal, asserting that foreign governments pressed the court and that tariffs have compelled reciprocal concessions. The administration has imposed rates as high as 50% on a particular trading partner, including 25% on that partner's purchases of oil from a third country. The targeted government has labeled the measures unjustified and warned it will take steps to protect national interests and economic security; the executive argues tariffs are required to prevent exploitation and strengthen the domestic economy.