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US Treasury aims to reinstate import tariffs by early July using Section 301
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the administration intends to reimpose trade barriers through Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 after a judicial decision struck down the previous tariffs. The US Supreme Court on February 20, 2026, ruled that the duties imposed by President Donald Trump were unlawful, finding that the president had exceeded his authority by setting restrictions without congressional approval. That ruling was followed by an order from the US Court of International Trade requiring refunds to importers totaling about $130 billion. US Customs and Border Protection is obliged to reimburse companies for tariffs that were unlawfully collected for the duration of the measures.
Speaking at an event hosted by The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Bessent set out the department’s legal strategy to address the ruling. "We had a setback at the Supreme Court in terms of the tariff policy, but we will be implementing or conducting Section 301 studies, so the tariffs could be back in place at the previous level by the beginning of July," he said. The administration expects that invoking Section 301 will provide a legitimate legal basis to reintroduce duties without the need to resolve the constitutional issue identified by the court.
Restoring the tariff schedule is central to efforts to stabilize government revenues in light of large mandated refunds to private businesses. Treasury research into alleged unfair trade practices by foreign states will need to substantiate the case for renewed restrictions. The administration aims to complete the required legal procedures swiftly to protect domestic manufacturers. Ensuring a stable flow of customs receipts remains a policy priority for the White House in the current fiscal period.
Published 20 April 2026
© InstaFintech Group
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© InstaFintech Group
