Trade Court Invalidates 10% Across-the-Board Tariffs that Cost U.S. Businesses $8B in March

The U. S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump’s across-the-board 10% tariffs were invalid. U. S. businesses paid approximately $8 billion in these tariffs in March 2026. Tariffs have raised prices for key Mother’s Day product categories. The U. S.

Court of International Trade has invalidated a 10% across-the-board tariff that President Trump instituted in February 2026 after the U. S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs instituted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The tariffs, instituted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, were designed to address serious U. S.

balance-of-payments issues, a tool that the legislature deemed necessary when the U. S. dollar was pegged to gold. Two of the three judges on the panel ruled that Trump had failed to meet the threshold established under the law.

Tariffs have been a favorite economic and political tool of this administration, and it’s likely President Trump will seek additional means to impose them.

In fact, hearings were held this week and last in Washington on two types of Section 301 tariffs — one related to goods created using forced labor and another related to other countries’ manufacturing capacity.

According to the New York Times, however, those tariffs may not be ready for many weeks, while the recently struck-down levies were originally supposed to last until July. Tariff Costs Top $280 Billion The tariffs have been substantial: In March 2026, the first full month the duties were imposed, U. S.

businesses paid approximately $8 billion, according to We Pay the Tariffs, a coalition of small businesses. Based on data from Trade Partnership Worldwide, We Pay the Tariffs said that total tariffs paid by businesses since March 2025 have reached $283 billion, including the $166 billion collected under the IEEPA tariffs prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The tariffs have been pushing prices higher, including for key Mother’s Day product categories, according to data from Smarty: Flowers (bouquets, roses): +7. 3% YoY (Mother’s Day data) and +9% (tariff-driven increases on imports); Jewelry: +7. 3% YoY (Mother’s Day pricing), up to +23% in tariff-affected categories (diamonds/gold); Chocolate and candy: +7.

2% YoY (Mother’s Day-specific) and +8% (tariffs on imported chocolate); Dining out/Mother’s Day brunch: +3. 8% average YoY increase, up to +15% in some cities/restaurants; and Perfume, cards and small gifts: +1. 1% YoY (perfume + cards: cards are specifically impacted by paper import tariffs. Refund Processes Under Way In April, U. S.

Customs and Border Protection (CPB) set up a portal for importers to be reimbursed for tariffs that had been ruled unconstitutional, which could reach as high as $160 billion or more.

Ashley Craig, an attorney and Partner and Co-Chair of the Trade Group at Venable LLP, said “The initial tranche is $130 billion,” in an interview with Retail TouchPoints, “but when you factor in all the phases of these, it could reach $140 to $160 billion or more.” He added that it would likely take 60 to 90 days for refund money to actually begin flowing.