On March 12th , 2026, the China General Chamber of Commerce-USA (CGCC) and EY, co-hosted a webinar titled “IEEPA Tariffs After Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) Ruling.” The session brought together industry experts to examine the implications of the Court’s decision and its impact on businesses navigating international trade and tariff exposure.
The discussion was moderated by Michelle Wang, Managing Director at EY U.S. Featured speakers included Jon Cowley, EY U.S. Global Trade Partner; Eric Zhang, EY U.S. Senior Manager; and Hanbo Chen, EY Canada Senior Associate.
The event was emceed by Hallie Carmen, Senior Marketing Manager at CGCC.
Key takeaways prepared by the EY team:
- The Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, invalidating those imposed under it, but tariffs under Section 232, Section 301, and Section 122 remain fully available and unaffected.
- The Court did not decide whether previously paid IEEPA tariffs are refundable; the issue is now with the Court of International Trade, which is working with CBP to develop an administrative mechanism for processing refunds. As of yet, no process has been finalized.
- Given the lack of certainty and finality, many importers are exploring their administrative and legal options to preserve their rights to refunds; importers should also proactively assemble and map entry data, duty payments, HTS classifications, and liquidation status to ensure refund claims are not lost as procedures evolve.
- Companies should plan for tariff volatility, not relief. Even if refunds materialize, new or restructured tariffs are likely. Businesses should scenario-plan for pricing, contracts, and supply chains, while continuing full compliance with all non‑IEEPA tariffs.
If you have any questions, kindly contact Michelle Wang at michelle.wang@ey.com.
If you are interested in viewing the event recording, kindly contact Hallie Carmen at hallie.carmen@cgccusa.org.