The majority of the sweeping tariffs Donald Trump imposed during his second term face one final litmus test that will determine whether he can continue to levy them – and also whether businesses are eligible for massive refunds.
That potentially dramatic turn in the tariff saga comes after a federal appeals court ruled on Friday that Trump unlawfully leaned on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose across-the-board duties on countries.
Trump had used those powers to push import tax rates as high as 50% on India and Brazil – and as high as 145% on China earlier this year.
Many (most?) did but not always like for like. This will have the double effect of making American manufacturing less attractive as your competitive edge due to tariffs could evaporate. It also means importers will pass it on straight away as it’s clear to consumers that it’s a government tax. Moreso as we go on. Previously, the uninformed thought the tariffs were not paid by consumers.