Navigating Trump-Era Trade Policy—Section 232 and the Future of U.S. Tariffs
While the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) had received a lot of press as a cornerstone of U.S. tariff policy at the time, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 had been almost as important in shaping the Trump administration's approach to trade.
With the Supreme Court of the United States deliberating the extent of presidential authority under the IEEPA—and following the dynamic oral arguments on November 5, 2025—many experts anticipated a landmark decision that could invalidate some or all IEEPA-based tariffs. Should this have occurred, Section 232 tariffs would have likely assumed an even greater role, potentially becoming the primary source of U.S. tariffs in the years ahead.
We held a webinar on December 18 where we analyzed the Supreme Court's decision—or prepared for its imminent release. Our panel explored the Section 232 tariff framework, reviewed current Section 232 measures, and discussed what the future might hold for U.S. trade policy.
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Notice
Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Perkins Coie, please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be of a confidential or secret nature. Perkins Coie has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide. Neither the transmission nor receipt of your information is considered a request for legal advice, securing or retaining a lawyer. An attorney-client relationship with Perkins Coie or any lawyer at Perkins Coie is not established until and unless Perkins Coie agrees to such a relationship as memorialized in a separate writing.