IN THE NEWS: What Trump’s Tariff Loss in Court Means for Shippers and the Billions in Trade Duties Collected by US Government

CNBC
September 2, 2025
Lori Ann LaRocco

FROM THE ARTICLE: President Donald Trump’s trade war suffered a big setback with many of his administration’s tariffs ruled illegal by a federal appeals court last Friday. Billions of dollars in trade duties may potentially need to be refunded to businesses as trade deals struck by the White House with other nations are thrown into question. But for now, the underlying stance within the shipping industry and supply chain has not changed, according to logistics professionals, with the court decision — a stay is in place until October 14 — contributing to the uncertainty that has dogged business decision-making throughout 2025.

“Right now, we have not heard anything much or seen any changes,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics.

With the tariffs still imposed until October 14 and the expected appeal by the Trump administration, shippers are sitting tight. “Most shippers are awaiting the appeal to the US Supreme Court and its final decision. There has been a lot of frontloading as well, so impact for now should be minimal,” he said, referring to the period early this year when imports surged as businesses loaded up on inventory to avoid tariff effective dates.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday he believes the Supreme Court will uphold Trump’s use of a 1977 emergency powers law to impose the tariffs on trading partners, and the administration has a backup plan if it does not. Later in the day, President Trump said he would ask the Supreme Court for an “expedited ruling.”

Read the full article.