International Desk : VOC

US Ends ‘Illegal’ Emergency Tariffs After Supreme Court Ruling; India Awaits Refund Decision

The administration of President Donald Trump has withdrawn emergency tariffs on imported goods following a ruling by the US Supreme Court declaring the measures unlawful.

In a statement, US Customs and Border Protection said the tariffs imposed under emergency powers would cease to take effect from Tuesday, 12:01 a.m. (local time). The decision followed the court’s rejection of Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose additional duties without Congressional approval.

The court ruled on Friday that invoking emergency legislation to levy tariffs on multiple countries amounted to an abuse of presidential authority and violated constitutional limits, as only Congress can authorize long-term trade tariffs.

The White House confirmed that all additional duties imposed under emergency provisions would be halted immediately, saying collections would stop “as soon as possible.”

Despite the ruling, Trump later announced fresh tariffs of 10 percent on selected countries, later raising them to 15 percent. These levies were introduced under Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974 and are classified as temporary.

Under US law, such tariffs cannot remain in force for more than 150 days without Congressional approval, meaning the controversial duties imposed on India as punishment for purchasing Russian oil will also be withdrawn from Tuesday.

India had initially faced a 25 percent tariff on its exports to the US, followed by another 25 percent duty linked to its purchase of Russian crude oil. The combined impact significantly reduced Indian exports and forced businesses to seek alternative markets.

A key question now is whether India and other affected countries will be refunded the money already collected under the illegal tariff regime.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the issue would be decided entirely by the courts.

“What happens next will depend on the court’s ruling. The administration will follow whatever direction the courts provide,” Greer said.

He added that even if refunds are ordered, determining the amount, repayment mechanism and timeline would take considerable time. At present, the administration has no concrete plan for issuing reimbursements, and any refund order from lower courts could still be challenged.

As a result, while India will receive immediate relief from future illegal tariffs, when and how the previously collected duties will be returned remains legally unresolved.

International Desk :Voice of Calcutta