Droit De Douane: U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs May Rise to 15% as Judge Orders Halt to Collections
droit de douane measures tied to U. S. reciprocal tariffs are shifting rapidly after a federal judge ordered the government to stop collecting duties the Supreme Court invalidated. Scott Bessent, U. S. Treasury Secretary, said reciprocal tariffs should move to 15% “at some point this week, ” and the U. S. Court of International Trade issued its order on Wednesday, March 4 (ET) to simplify prospective refunds. The actions follow the Supreme Court’s broad annulment of many presidential tariffs on February 20 and the White House’s temporary 10% surtax that lasts 150 days.
Droit De Douane: Officials’ moves
Scott Bessent, U. S. Treasury Secretary, stated that the reciprocal tariffs imposed on imports are expected to rise to 15% this week and that he hopes the tariffs will revert to their prior rate within five months. The President had previously reinstated a 10% surtax after the Supreme Court decision; that measure was described as temporary and limited to 150 days before requiring Congressional action.
The U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had already halted collection of duties tied to one legal basis cited by the administration, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), effective February 24. The Court of International Trade (CIT) judge, Richard Eaton, then ordered CBP to stop calculating the now-invalidated charges with the stated aim of making potential future reimbursements simpler.
Immediate reactions and legal order
Richard Eaton, Judge, U. S. Court of International Trade, directed the CBP to cease the routine calculation and collection of those tariffs and questioned why the practice continued after the Supreme Court’s decision. Ryan Majerus, King & Splading, described the judge’s move in blunt terms: “This means the judge, simply, orders the government to refund everything. ” Majerus also noted that the actual scope of refunds will depend on the first rulings in the pending complaints.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, criticized the Supreme Court decision and signaled continued use of alternate legal authorities to maintain trade measures, including the temporary 10% surtax. The administration has indicated it will await judicial outcomes before completing any large-scale reimbursements requested by importers.
Quick context
The Supreme Court annulled a large portion of the President’s tariffs on February 20, finding that the legal basis used did not demonstrate the emergency authority required under the 1977 statute cited. In response, the administration implemented a different 10% surtax limited to 150 days and CBP announced a stop to collections under IEEPA as of February 24.
What’s next
Court proceedings now in the U. S. Court of International Trade will determine whether the cessation of collection leads to widespread refunds; Judge Eaton has been designated to manage those cases. Legal specialists and affected companies must wait for the initial CIT rulings to see whether the judge’s order will result in comprehensive reimbursement of duties already paid. Treasury’s indication that reciprocal tariffs could rise to 15% this week and the Secretary’s hope for a return to prior rates within five months frame the policy battle to come, with the practical outcome for importers and government receipts hinging on forthcoming judicial decisions and any Congressional response to the tarif regime changes.
The evolving mix of judicial orders, CBP practice changes and executive actions leaves the fate of many droit de douane payments and potential refunds undecided until the Court of International Trade issues its first determinations and the administration clarifies its next statutory steps.
