Trump's Tariff Rates Could Be Restored by July, Treasury Secretary Says

Bessent says administration plans to conduct new studies to reinstate previous tariff levels.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of a solitary shipping container or cargo ship in a port, with warm diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the economic uncertainty and divisive trade policies surrounding the potential restoration of Trump-era tariffs.The administration's plan to reinstate previous tariff levels could have far-reaching economic impacts, evoking a sense of uncertainty and nostalgia for the divisive trade policies of the past.Washington Today

President Donald Trump's tariffs may be restored by early July to the levels in place before the Supreme Court struck down many of his trade levies, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Why it matters

The potential restoration of Trump-era tariffs could have significant economic implications, impacting industries, consumers, and trade relations. The administration's plan to conduct new studies suggests an effort to legally justify the tariffs after the Supreme Court's previous ruling.

The details

Bessent stated that the administration will be 'implementing or conducting Section 301 studies' in order to put the previous tariff levels back in place by the beginning of July. This indicates the administration's intent to rebuild the legal foundation for the tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down.

  • Bessent made the comments on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at a Wall Street Journal event in Washington, D.C.

The players

Scott Bessent

The current U.S. Treasury Secretary, appointed by President Trump.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who implemented the tariffs that may be restored.

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What they’re saying

“We had a setback at the Supreme Court in terms of the tariff policy, but we will be implementing or conducting Section 301 studies, so the tariffs could be back in place at the previous level by beginning of July.”

— Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary

What’s next

The administration will need to conduct new studies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 in order to legally justify reinstating the previous tariff levels that were struck down by the Supreme Court.

The takeaway

The potential restoration of Trump-era tariffs by the Biden administration highlights the ongoing political and legal battles over trade policy, with significant economic implications for industries, consumers, and international relations.