Tariff levels could return by July
U.S. Treasury commentary suggested tariffs that were struck down could be restored to prior rates as early as July, keeping the policy outcome uncertain for businesses. (bloomberg.com)
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on April 14 that tariff rates struck down by the Supreme Court could return to their previous levels by early July. (bloomberg.com) Bessent said at a Wall Street Journal event in Washington that the administration would use Section 301 studies to rebuild the tariffs after what he called a Supreme Court “setback.” (news.bloomberglaw.com) The legal problem dates to February 20, 2026, when the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in *Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump* that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not let a president impose tariffs. (supreme.justia.com) That decision wiped out the broad tariff program Trump had built under emergency powers, including the “reciprocal tariffs” announced in April 2025 and tariffs tied to fentanyl trafficking and immigration. (ropesgray.com) Section 301 is a different trade law. It lets the Office of the United States Trade Representative investigate foreign practices and, after a formal process, impose tariffs or other trade restrictions. (federalregister.gov) The administration has already started that process. The United States Trade Representative opened Section 301 investigations in March into structural excess capacity and forced-labor-related practices across dozens of economies, with public-comment deadlines in April. (federalregister.gov) Importers are dealing with two timelines at once. Reuters reported on April 14 that the administration plans to launch a refund system on April 20 for about $166 billion in tariffs paid under levies the Supreme Court invalidated. (msn.com) At the same time, companies still face the risk that duties could be reimposed within weeks under a new legal theory, leaving prices, sourcing plans, and contract costs unsettled heading into July. (news.bloomberglaw.com)
