In a significant ruling that stands to impact many in the vision industry, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a decision on May 28, 2025, permanently prohibiting all tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs affected a wide range of imported goods, including materials and products relevant to the vision sector.
THE DECISION
The CIT has given the federal government 10 days to implement a process to halt the collection of IEEPA-related duties, which include:
- The 25 percent tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada
- The 20 percent tariff on goods from China
- “Reciprocal” tariffs currently at 10 percent, scheduled to increase to higher country-specific rates in July
While the ruling prohibits further collection of these tariffs unless a stay is granted, it does not mandate refunds for duties previously paid. A means for refunds, however, may become known once the decision on this issue is final.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Trump administration has already filed a notice of appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is expected to seek a stay of execution, which could temporarily reinstate the tariffs during litigation. If granted, this would allow for continued collection of IEEPA tariffs while the appeal proceeds, potentially all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
WHAT THIS MEANS TODAY
- At this time, all previously established duties remain in effect, as the government has 10 days to implement the court’s directive and a stay is anticipated.
- Importantly, this decision does not impact Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, which remain in force under a separate statutory authority and are currently the subject of a separate legal appeal. Nor does it impact the Section 232 duties on steel or aluminum, or on automobiles and automobile parts.
As there is no immediate change in the collection of IEEPA duties, The Vision Council will not update its Tariff Dashboard (available to members only) until further developments occur.
THE VISION COUNCIL’S COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY
“Fluctuating trade policies create real uncertainty for businesses across the vision industry, and we understand how challenging that can be,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “We remain committed to keeping our members informed, supported and prepared to adapt. Our team is actively monitoring the ongoing legal developments, and we will continue to provide timely updates and resources. We encourage members to reach out to our Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs teams for guidance on how this ruling may affect their operations and supply chains.”
RESOURCES FOR THE INDUSTRY
In addition to its advocacy, The Vision Council offers a suite of resources to help members respond to the ongoing impacts of trade and tariff policy.
- Latest Tariff Developments: Ongoing updates on policies and actions affecting the optical industry.
- Tariff Dashboard: A simulator available to members of The Vision Council that models the financial implications of tariffs on imports.
- Industry Resources & Guidance: Country-specific duty explanations, archived webinar recordings, and more.
CONTACT FOR MEMBER SUPPORT
Members with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to our team of experts:
- Omar Elkhatib, Senior Manager of Government Relations, at oelkhatib@thevisioncouncil.org
. - Rick Van Arnam, Regulatory Affairs Counsel, at rvanarnam@barnesrichardson.com
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The Vision Council will remain a dedicated resource and advocate for the vision community as this legal process evolves. We are committed to providing the insight, tools and guidance our members need to navigate today’s complex trade environment.
Featured photo credit: Stone/Getty Images
