The international trade landscape toward the United States has faced a sudden upheaval just as businesses were beginning to stabilize under the regulatory framework introduced last year. While our August 2025 explanatory article detailed an expansion of fiscal pressure based on emergency powers, we are now navigating the aftermath of a landmark judicial ruling that has overturned the legal foundations of those decisions. This update, therefore, aims to provide clarity on the most significant developments that have recently disrupted the status quo.
For those managing logistics and shipments via container and air freight, these shifts represent more than mere regulatory changes; they offer a critical opportunity for financial recovery while simultaneously requiring immediate alignment with a new tariff regime.
The Supreme Court Ruling of February 20, 2026, on the Cancellation of IEEPA Duties
The date marking the beginning of this new phase is February 20, 2026. In a decision that caught many observers by surprise, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the duties imposed in April 2025 lacked legal authorization. The core of the dispute centered on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, commonly abbreviated as IEEPA. The justices held that this statute does not grant the President the authority to impose broad-based tariffs without specific Congressional approval.
This ruling effectively invalidated all measures that had burdened imports over the past several months. Consequently, the government ceased the collection of IEEPA-based duties effective February 24, 2026. Many enterprises that had faced increased costs can now look with relief at a barrier that has officially fallen, although managing past administrative entries still requires a final bureaucratic effort to be fully resolved.
Refund Policies and Procedures
The recovery of duties paid is not an automatic process, and the Importer of Record must take specific proactive steps. The fundamental first step involves accessing the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) portal to extract a report of all shipments filed between April 2025 and February 2026. It is necessary to isolate the specific tariff lines related to IEEPA duties and verify the status of every individual “Entry,” as the subsequent strategy will depend entirely on this verification.
For shipments that entered the United States in recent months but have not yet reached final liquidation, the most efficient path is filing a Post Summary Correction. This electronic amendment allows for the correction of entry data before the customs process is legally finalized. Conversely, if a shipment is already in “liquidated” status, the law provides a strict window of only 180 days from the date of liquidation to file a formal Protest via CBP Form 19. This document must explicitly cite the Supreme Court ruling and request a recalculation of duties, including the refund of overpayments and applicable interest.
A significant technological update involves the CAPE (Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries) system, which Customs and Border Protection is making operational in these weeks. This new portal will allow brokers to upload CSV files containing extensive shipment lists to request bulk refunds in a single transaction. Finally, it is important to note that as of February 6, 2026, the U.S. government no longer issues paper checks. To receive funds, every company must complete registration in the ACH (Automated Clearing House) program to facilitate the direct electronic transfer of funds into their bank account.
New 15% US Tariffs for 2026 and the Application of Section 122
While proceeding with recovery efforts for the past, it is necessary to account for a new measure the administration has introduced to balance the effects of the court ruling. To quickly address the regulatory vacuum, the White House has invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This law allows for the imposition of temporary tariffs when there is a need to protect the national balance of payments from excessive imbalances.
Effective February 24, 2026, a new 15% global duty has come into force, applying to most goods imported into American ports. This measure has a maximum validity of 150 days and represents the chosen instrument to maintain fiscal pressure pending new legislative provisions. As this rests on a different legal basis than the IEEPA, this new levy is unaffected by the Supreme Court decision and must be accurately included in landed cost calculations. For logistics firms, this means that cost planning must remain flexible, as the July 2026 expiration could lead to a further change in rates or new Congressional decisions.
Tracking the evolution of US tariffs in a tumultuous 2025
Over the course of 2025, as is widely known, US customs tariffs have profoundly reshaped global trade relations with Canada, Mexico, China, and Europe, putting supply chains and export strategies under serious strain.
In a previous article, we examined the US–China trade war. Here, we focus on the global evolution of tariffs, with a particular emphasis on the European Union, its response measures, the effects on specific sectors and Italian exports, and the latest round of negotiations between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and President Donald Trump.
Let’s begin on 1 February 2025. On this date, President Trump signed executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico (with Canadian energy taxed at 10%) and 10% on Chinese imports, citing links to the opioid crisis as justification.
After a brief suspension period, tariffs were reinstated on 4 March: China’s rate rose to 20%, while Canada and Mexico remained at 25%. On 2 April—now referred to as “Liberation Day”—a system of “reciprocal tariffs” came into force, ranging from 10% to 50% and covering approximately 180 countries, with the EU set at 20% and China at 34%. At the same time, tariffs of up to 50% were imposed on steel and aluminium, with all exemptions removed.
This escalation created widespread uncertainty, prompting many businesses to reassess suppliers and logistics routes in search of alternatives.
The European Union’s countermeasures to the US tariffs introduced in february 2025
In response, the European Union promptly prepared retaliatory tariffs worth around €21 billion on US goods, ranging from 10% to 25% and targeting items such as jeans, motorbikes, orange juice, and machinery. However, in an effort to encourage dialogue, Brussels suspended these measures until 14 July, and again until 7 August 2025.
At the same time, as we’ll explore in more detail below, the EU made a political offer to the US: a “zero-for-zero” agreement on industrial goods such as cars, pharmaceuticals, and machinery, along with a willingness to renegotiate tariffs if the US adopted a similar stance.
These strategic moves helped the EU avoid an uncontrollable escalation and kept negotiation channels open.
US–EU tariff: what is the new 15% “all-inclusive” tariff and which products it covers
As mentioned earlier, on 27 July in Turnberry, Scotland, Trump and von der Leyen reached a political agreement: a 15% “all-inclusive” US import tariff, effective from 1 August 2025, covering the majority of European goods. This new framework replaces the earlier threat of a 30% tariff, although steel and aluminium remain taxed at 50%. Brussels is currently negotiating the possible replacement of these duties with a quota-based system. In addition, a “zero-for-zero” clause was introduced, exempting key strategic products such as aircraft, generic pharmaceuticals, semiconductor chips, certain critical raw materials, and selected chemicals.
Subsequently, the administration issued a formal order delaying the implementation of the agreement to 7 August.
Impact of US–EU tariffs on the wine sector
One of the hardest-hit sectors is wine. Exports to the US are now subject to a 15% tariff, with estimated losses of around €317 million in the first year. This figure could rise to over €460 million if the euro-to-dollar exchange rate moves unfavourably.
The measure deals a significant blow to the competitiveness of Italian wine, which is already under pressure from the wider geopolitical environment.
Meanwhile, tariffs on european cars will remain at 2.5%
The 15% agreement does not alter the overall US tariff on European cars, which remains at 27.5% (2.5% MFN + 25% Section 232), as automobiles are excluded from the “all-inclusive” deal.
In practice, US customs duties on cars remain high, leaving the sector particularly exposed.
Impact of the 15% tariff on italian exports
Beyond wine, the 15% tariff could cost Italian exports up to €22 billion across sectors such as fashion, pharmaceuticals, and agri-food, unless further specific exemptions can be secured.
This situation demands a strategic rethinking of global value chains, pricing models, logistics, and market diversification.
Von der Leyen and the zero-for-zero tariffs on strategic products
Ursula von der Leyen placed reciprocal “zero-for-zero” exemptions at the heart of the transatlantic deal: a political commitment to maintaining zero tariffs on aircraft and components, generic pharmaceuticals, technological chips, and critical raw materials. This approach aims to protect vulnerable strategic industries and ensure technological continuity across both markets, while also creating opportunities for regulatory alignment.
In conclusion, the 2025 US tariffs disrupted long-standing trade relations. Yet the 15% “all-inclusive” agreement, while limited in scope, has brought greater stability compared to earlier threats. The EU’s countermeasures and its preference for diplomatic negotiation helped avoid irreversible escalation. It is essential for Italian companies to fully understand the new tariff regime in order to safeguard exports and supply chains.
CTI remains available to provide hands-on support: with our expertise, we can help businesses reorganise logistics routes, mitigate tariff impacts, and identify applicable exemptions in this new global landscape.
Contact us for tailored advice.
