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Tariff Updates for July

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — Sec. 122 Tariffs Expire July 24 When the Supreme Court struck down International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs in February 2026, President Trump shifted them to 10% tariffs under Sec. 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This was a temporary move because presidential actions under Sec. 122 are limited to 150 days unless…

Navigating The Pending “Memorandum of Understanding”

by Dave Akers, IHSA The pending Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz that was heavily brokered by Pakistan between the U.S. and Iran was signed on June 17. However, it is still considered a “pending” document in the trade world due to it being an interim framework agreement and not a finalized treaty. While it represents…

The Shifting Tariff Landscape

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs aren’t legal, Customs and Boarder Protection (CBP) carried out orders from the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) and quickly set up a system to process IEEPA refunds. Thus, on April 20, CBP launched its…

Navigating the Ocean Freight Market

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” — George Carlin Navigating the ocean freight market right now is a masterclass in managing volatility. As of mid-May 2026, ocean container carriers are aggressively manipulating capacity on both coasts to defend freight rates against a…

IEEPA Tariff Refunds and New Sec. 301 Tariffs

Navigating the 2026 Contract Finish Line

by Dave Akers, IHSA Stephen Hawking said "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change." Based on our industry, we must be the founding members of Mensa. As we reach the final days of the 2026 contract season, the landscape has been fundamentally reshaped. Transpacific ocean carriers have responded to the soaring fuel prices caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis by…

Navigating the Bunker Crisis

by Dave Akers, IHSA "A recession is when a neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours." — Ronald Reagan The ocean shipping industry is currently navigating a significant crisis as of March 2026, primarily driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These disruptions have forced carriers to implement Emergency Fuel Surcharges (EFS) to offset…

Liquidation and IEEPA Tariff Refunds

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — Now that the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has struck down President Trump’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs, the issue of refunds is back in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) where one of its three judges, Judge Richard Eaton, is presiding over the refund process. On March 4, 2026,…

SCOTUS IEEPA Decision Alters Tariff Paradigm

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — On Feb 20, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued a 6-3 decision that tariffs imposed by President Trump using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are not legal. As such, SCOTUS struck down the “fentanyl” tariffs that went into effect on March 4, 2025, for Mexico, Canada, and China, and the…