A US federal judge has ordered the administration of Donald Trump to halt the assessment of certain global tariffs on imports where customs payments have not yet been finalized, a move that could pave the way for large-scale refunds to importers.
The directive was issued by Judge Richard Eaton of the United States Court of International Trade in New York. The ruling follows a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that blocked a significant portion of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, dealing a major setback to the president’s trade policy.
In his order, Judge Eaton instructed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to stop calculating tariffs that were struck down by the court for imports where payments have not yet been fully settled.
The judge also clarified that he would be the sole authority to hear cases related to refunds of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the legal framework used by Trump to introduce sweeping duties on a wide range of imports.
Since returning to office in 2025, President Trump invoked the emergency powers law to impose broad tariffs on products from numerous trading partners. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the administration had exceeded its authority in using the law to implement such widespread trade measures.
The court’s intervention has triggered discussions over potential refunds for importers. Analysts estimate that the tariffs generated more than $130 billion in revenue for the US government by late 2025, raising the possibility of substantial repayment claims.
Trade experts say the ruling could have far-reaching implications. According to former US trade official Ryan Majerus, the decision may apply to nearly all imports for which these duties were paid, potentially forcing the government to return large sums to affected companies.
However, he noted that the outcome will depend on how a three-judge panel reviewing the broader case ultimately rules and how the government chooses to implement the order.
Despite the legal setbacks, the Trump administration has continued to pursue its tariff-driven trade strategy. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, the president used another law to impose a temporary 10% tariff on imports, with officials indicating the rate could increase to 15% in the near future.
Observers say the ongoing legal battles could significantly reshape the direction of US trade policy and create uncertainty for global exporters, many of whom rely on access to the American market.
