U.S. Justice Department Appeals $166 B Tariff Refund Order

The Justice Department filed an appeal on June 2 to challenge a Court of International Trade order that directed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund roughly $166 billion in duties collected under tariffs imposed through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The appeal follows the Supreme Court’s February decision that the tariffs were unlawful, and it seeks to limit refunds to unliquidated entries or those within 90 days of liquidation, contesting the broader “universal” injunction issued by Judge Richard K. Eaton.

In parallel, the U.S. Trade Representative announced new tariff proposals under Section 301 targeting forced‑labor violations in 59 countries and the EU, and issued a presidential proclamation modifying Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper. Additional Section 301 measures were recommended for products from Vietnam and Brazil, and an executive order aimed at strengthening customs enforcement was also issued.