On March 20, 2026, Senior Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued another Order in Atmus Filtration Inc. vs. United States regarding refunds of duties paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In summarizing the CIT’s March 19, 2026 closed conference with plaintiff and government legal counsel, the
USTR Launches Section 301 Investigations into Forced Labor Practices
On March 12, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was launching Section 301 investigations into 60 trade partners to determine whether they have been engaged in forced labor practices. The investigations, to be conducted pursuant to Section 301of the Trade Act of 1974, include China, the European Union, India, and Mexico. A
OFAC Issues Russia General License Allowing Delivery and Sale of Russian Crude Oil and Petroleum
On March 12, 2026, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Russia-related General License 134, “Authorizing the Delivery and Sale of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products of Russian Federation Origin Loaded on Vessels as of March 12, 2026.” The general license authorizes transactions “that are ordinarily incident and necessary
USTR Releases President Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report
On March 2, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) delivered President Donald Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report to Congress. This year’s trade agenda seeks to promote U.S. interests abroad and reduce trade deficits by pursuing trade deals with other countries and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
2025 Annual Report
CBP Reports Progress on IEEPA Tariff Refund Process
On March 12, 2026, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) held a second conference with the parties in the Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, et al. litigation matter regarding the progress of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in establishing a process and procedures to allow for automated refund of
CIT Suspends Earlier Order Directing IEEPA Tariff Refunds
On March 6, 2026, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT or Court) held a closed conference in Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, to continue the Court’s process in determining how the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs can be refunded to importers of record. At the conclusion of
CIT Orders Refund of IEEPA Tariffs
On March 4, 2026, in Atmus Filtration, Inc. vs. United States, Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an order, referencing the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20, 2026 ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump declaring International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs unlawful, that: (1) “[a]ll importers
Federal Circuit Clears Path for CIT to Oversee IEEPA Tariff Refund Process
On March 2, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”) issued a per curiam order granting the plaintiffs’ February 24, 2026 motion in V.O.S. Selections v. Donald J. Trump, et al. to immediately issue the Federal Circuit’s mandate, remanding the case to the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) for
After U.S. Supreme Court Invalidates IEEPA Tariffs, Trump Administration Turns to Other Options – What Importers Need to Know
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the president power to impose tariffs. In response, President Donald Trump issued a temporary 10% tariff on all imports pursuant to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Importers of record
Plaintiffs in China Section 301 Tariff Litigation File Petition with U.S. Supreme Court Seeking Review of Federal Circuit Decision
On February 20, 2026, lead counsel for the plaintiff group in the test case for the China Section 301 tariff refund litigation (HMTX Industries LLC, et al. v. United States et al.), filed a Petition for a Writ of Certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking review of the U.S. Court of Appeals