Trump Administration Signals Potential Return of Tariffs by July

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggests new trade authorities could be used to reinstate previous tariff levels.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:35am

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A dynamic, fragmented painting featuring a political symbol like a gavel or scales repeated in overlapping geometric shapes and waves of navy, grey, and red, conveying the fractured and rapidly evolving nature of the administration's trade policies.The Trump administration's efforts to preserve tariffs despite legal challenges could lead to a return of import duties as early as July.Manhattan Today

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated on Tuesday that the Trump administration is exploring options to reimpose tariffs as early as July, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that struck down the administration's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement tariffs. Bessent said the administration will conduct Section 301 studies to potentially restore tariffs at previous levels, signaling a pivot to other trade authorities after the court setback.

Why it matters

The potential return of tariffs would have significant economic implications, as the Trump administration had previously collected over $166 billion in IEEPA-based tariff duties. This move highlights the administration's determination to maintain its aggressive trade policies despite legal challenges, raising concerns about the impact on businesses and consumers.

The details

After the Supreme Court ruled in February that the IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, the Trump administration has moved to preserve import duties by invoking provisions of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. This includes initiating over 75 investigations under Section 301, which allows the U.S. Trade Representative to respond to 'unfair' foreign trade practices, and announcing new 10% global tariffs under the emergency Section 122 provision.

  • The Supreme Court struck down the administration's IEEPA-based tariffs earlier this year.
  • The U.S. had collected over $166 billion in IEEPA tariff duties as of early March 2026.
  • Bessent suggested the new tariffs could be in place by the beginning of July.

The players

Scott Bessent

The current U.S. Treasury Secretary who suggested the potential return of tariffs.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. President who had previously billed tariffs as 'life or death' for the American economy.

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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 [the] beginning of July.”

— Scott Bessent, U.S. Treasury Secretary

What’s next

The U.S. Court of International Trade is currently weighing the legality of the administration's use of the Section 122 emergency trade provision to impose new 10% global tariffs, which could further impact the potential return of tariffs.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's determination to maintain its aggressive trade policies, even in the face of legal setbacks, underscores the ongoing tensions and uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade relations. The potential return of tariffs could have significant economic ramifications for businesses and consumers.