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U.S. Court of International Trade Strikes Down IEEPA Tariffs: What This Means for the Vision Industry

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Gretchyn Bailey

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Alexandria, VA — May 29, 2025 – 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.
Contact for Member Support
Members with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to our team of experts:
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.

# # #​


About The Vision Council
The Vision Council brings the power of sight to all through education, government relations, research, and technical standards. A leading advocate for the optical industry, the association positions its members to deliver the eyewear and eyecare people need to look and feel their best. Vital to health, independence and safety, better vision leads to better lives.
 
And they’re back…..

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Whether we should have no tariffs at all, massive tariffs everywhere, targeted industry specific tariffs....I don't know. People far smarter than I can debate that until the cows come home.

We can't have massive tariffs on or off based on court decisions and appeals that can swing week to week or even day to day in this case or even whether the president has a solid BM that morning or not.

But at some point, this has to come to an end.
 
Ken Elder said:
Whether we should have no tariffs at all, massive tariffs everywhere, targeted industry specific tariffs....I don't know. People far smarter than I can debate that until the cows come home.

We can't have massive tariffs on or off based on court decisions and appeals that can swing week to week or even day to day in this case or even whether the president has a solid BM that morning or not.

But at some point, this has to come to an end.
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Obviously no expert on the Judicial Branch and the role of checks and balances. i do find it interesting the Judicial Branch's high level of activism. I agree, we (as a whole) need get on or off the bus and stop waffling.
 
I saw Karoline Leavitt yesterday address Q&A's with the press. She made the point that the US has let so many manufacturing jobs of all types go offshore over the decades to the point where we have very little left that our people can produce. She sounded spot on.

In the meantime most of the frame companies we deal with had notified us that their frame prices are going up about 5-8% on May 1st/June 1st. Some mentioned a separate tarrif surcharge, but most just made it an outright price increase, which means there is no intention of ever taking it off if there were little or no tarrifs. We probably got the best letter from Continental which is a small company we use for budget eyewear. I am sure 100% of their frames are sourced from China. Heck even our Italian frames are probably assembled in Italy with components sourced in China.

My optician son commented last week that we just received some new Morel product, the longest eyewear company in the industry, based in the South of France, and now the hinges are crap, the temple is stamped made in China, and the wholesale prices is approach 100 bucks. I believe it was the Lightec line. Hoping they do not decontent the Öga line.
 
Update from The Vision Council.


Federal Appeals Court Temporarily Reinstates IEEPA Tariffs Amid Ongoing Legal Proceedings

Alexandria, VA – May 30, 2025 – The Vision Council is providing an important update regarding the legal status of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Following the U.S. Court of International Trade's (CIT) May 28 ruling that permanently prohibited thesetariffs, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued a temporary stay on May 29, allowing the continued collection of the tariffs during the government's appeal process.

Current Status of IEEPA Tariffs

As a result of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit’s order, the following tariffs remain in effect until further notice.
  • 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
What’s Next
The appeals court has set a briefing schedule, with plaintiffs required to respond by June 5 and the Trump administration to reply by June 9. A decision on whether to grant a more permanent stay is expected following these submissions. If granted, these tariffs will continue to be collected throughout the appeals process, which could ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

What to Know Today
  • All previously established duties remain in effect
  • Trade negotiations are ongoing and may affect current and future “reciprocal” tariff percentages
  • This decision does not impact:
    • Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, which remain in force under a separate statutory authority and are the subject of a separate legal appeal
    • Section 232 duties on steel, aluminum, automobiles, and automobile parts

Given that there is no immediate change in IEEPA duties collection, The Vision Council will not update its Tariff Dashboard (available to members only) until further developments occur.

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.
Contact for Member Support
Members with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to our team of experts:
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.

# # #​
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
I saw Karoline Leavitt yesterday address Q&A's with the press. She made the point that the US has let so many manufacturing jobs of all types go offshore over the decades to the point where we have very little left that our people can produce. She sounded spot on.

In the meantime most of the frame companies we deal with had notified us that their frame prices are going up about 5-8% on May 1st/June 1st. Some mentioned a separate tarrif surcharge, but most just made it an outright price increase, which means there is no intention of ever taking it off if there were little or no tarrifs. We probably got the best letter from Continental which is a small company we use for budget eyewear. I am sure 100% of their frames are sourced from China. Heck even our Italian frames are probably assembled in Italy with components sourced in China.

My optician son commented last week that we just received some new Morel product, the longest eyewear company in the industry, based in the South of France, and now the hinges are crap, the temple is stamped made in China, and the wholesale prices is approach 100 bucks. I believe it was the Lightec line. Hoping they do not decontent the Öga line.
Click to expand...
Most of the folks who will respond to these stories when we post them have never actually built any sort of product, or have been involved with international commerce, other than as end consumers. (hence the weird political rants vs. focusing on what is important here - the impact of what is happening on eye care.)

Based on my experience dealing with companies in the medical industry that have international supply chains, none of what is happening is good for anyone up and down the chain.

The people who actually make optical products -- like those frames -- are now scrambling, because not only will many have to find alternative suppliers for parts [like those aforementioned hinges], any new sources need to be reliable and [reasonably] affordable in order for the manufacturers to turn a profit. Which is the ultimate goal of any business.

Remember the US is just one market, and only 5% of the world's population. It is a big planet, and if it isn't economically viable for a company to sell here, they'll just shift elsewhere. It isn't 1952 any more.

Specs are kind of a universal product, and I'm certain the hinge supplier [wherever they are] is entertaining the idea of selling to other companies outside the US, where none of this mishigas is happening. We have already seen this in the electronics industry, where certain PC manufacturers just basically said "no" to the US market, and are sending their shipments elsewhere. Same idea.

In any event, I would expect prices to rise even if the tariffs aren't enforced just due to reduced efficiency and reduced supplier choice going forward.
 
AdminWolf said:
Most of the folks who will respond to these stories when we post them have never actually built any sort of product, or have been involved with international commerce, other than as end consumers. (hence the weird political rants vs. focusing on what is important here - the impact of what is happening on eye care.)

Based on my experience dealing with companies in the medical industry that have international supply chains, none of what is happening is good for anyone up and down the chain.

The people who actually make optical products -- like those frames -- are now scrambling, because not only will many have to find alternative suppliers for parts [like those aforementioned hinges], any new sources need to be reliable and [reasonably] affordable in order for the manufacturers to turn a profit. Which is the ultimate goal of any business.

Remember the US is just one market, and only 5% of the world's population. It is a big planet, and if it isn't economically viable for a company to sell here, they'll just shift elsewhere. It isn't 1952 any more.

Specs are kind of a universal product, and I'm certain the hinge supplier [wherever they are] is entertaining the idea of selling to other companies outside the US, where none of this mishigas is happening. We have already seen this in the electronics industry, where certain PC manufacturers just basically said "no" to the US market, and are sending their shipments elsewhere. Same idea.

In any event, I would expect prices to rise even if the tariffs aren't enforced just due to reduced efficiency and reduced supplier choice going forward.
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5% of the population, but roughly 30-40% of the global GDP (depending on the source) and THAT is what matters. To hear someone with an MBA try to dismiss such a simple economic reality is mindblowing. Sure, Africa has 1.5B people, but who CARES?? 40% live on less than $2 a day, so it’s not like they’re a target market for ANYTHING whereas even “poverty” in the US means something very different.

What you’re saying is just ludicrous. Our GDP is roughly twice that of China and almost twice the ENTIRETY of the EU combined. Yeah, I’m sure they’ll just “go elsewhere.”
 
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Steven E. Nelson said:
5% of the population, but roughly 30-40% of the global GDP (depending on the source) and THAT is what matters. To hear someone with an MBA try to dismiss such a simple economic reality is mindblowing. Sure, Africa has 1.5B people, but who CARES?? 40% live on less than $2 a day, so it’s not like they’re a target market for ANYTHING whereas even “poverty” in the US means something very different.

What you’re saying is just ludicrous. Our GDP is roughly twice that of China and almost twice the ENTIRETY of the EU combined. Yeah, I’m sure they’ll just “go elsewhere.”
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This is factually incorrect. The US is 26% of global GDP. Market size aside, if governments engage in activity which make business difficult (ie, behave unpredictably) at some point it is easier to do business elsewhere. We have already seen this in the tech industry.

Pharmacists are worried that this is going to happen to several generic drugs as another example. Markets do not like unpredictability. Supply chains like it even less.
 
AdminWolf said:
This is factually incorrect. The US is 26% of global GDP. Market size aside, if governments engage in activity which make business difficult (ie, behave unpredictably) at some point it is easier to do business elsewhere. We have already seen this in the tech industry.

Pharmacists are worried that this is going to happen to several generic drugs as another example. Markets do not like unpredictability. Supply chains like it even less.
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It depends on the source. Google AI says 26%, but I've read as high as 40% and that varies by sector where we're actually much higher in some areas.

It's interesting given your political leanings and how you vote to hear you all of a sudden rail against things that make business difficult. Either way, I'm sure pharmacists are worried about it under the way things CURRENTLY run because the rest of the world gets sweetheart deals on those meds while WE pay the price and they'd be RIGHT if these things happened in a vacuum and the President wasn't ALSO pushing for us to have "preferred nation status" on our drug pricing.

You can't look at one aspect all by itself when there are multifactorial deals happening simultaneously. I shouldn't have to tell this to an MBA.
 
Steven E. Nelson said:
It depends on the source. Google AI says 26%, but I've read as high as 40% and that varies by sector where we're actually much higher in some areas.
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You are missing the point completely - it is about predictability.
This is what business cares about more than anything. Emotional, nebulous language like "sweetheart deals" has nothing to do with it.

I'm not sure why I'm even responding at this point.
 
AdminWolf said:
You are missing the point completely - it is about predictability.
This is what business cares about more than anything. Emotional, nebulous language like "sweetheart deals" has nothing to do with it.

I'm not sure why I'm even responding at this point.
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No, YOU'RE missing the point. We have an untenable situation with trade AND drug pricing (since you brought that into the equation) and "preferred nation status" is neither emotional nor nebulous and has a very specific definition.

As the Democrats have LONG said, the only way to address the trade issues is with tariffs ESPECIALLY in a global market where they're insanely lopsided. Having a market where we're "predictably screwed" isn't good for the country OR a market where we're basically the largest single consumer of goods. The only reason you're all against it now and turned on a dime is who's doing it.

I understand that the STOCK MARKET likes predictability, but what business likes is growth (if we're going to buy into the truly nebulous idea of "business" being an entity). Those two things CAN exist simultaneously, but sometimes one has some adjustments while the other sorts itself through sound economic policy. What's frustrating is that after January, the stock market became the sole metric for the economy completely ignoring every OTHER thing. This is politics, Adam. I know you think you're above such things, but you're no different than anyone else.
 
Steven E. Nelson said:
No, YOU'RE missing the point. We have an untenable situation with trade AND drug pricing (since you brought that into the equation) and "preferred nation status" is neither emotional nor nebulous and has a very specific definition.

As the Democrats have LONG said, the only way to address the trade issues is with tariffs ESPECIALLY in a global market where they're insanely lopsided. Having a market where we're "predictably screwed" isn't good for the country OR a market where we're basically the largest single consumer of goods. The only reason you're all against it now and turned on a dime is who's doing it.

I understand that the STOCK MARKET likes predictability, but what business likes is growth (if we're going to buy into the truly nebulous idea of "business" being an entity). Those two things CAN exist simultaneously, but sometimes one has some adjustments while the other sorts itself through sound economic policy. What's frustrating is that after January, the stock market became the sole metric for the economy completely ignoring every OTHER thing. This is politics, Adam. I know you think you're above such things, but you're no different than anyone else.
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Again, you don't understand this issue at all.

I actually have had these issues in real life -- developing a product sourced with multi-national components (and even raw minerals), assembled internationally, then re-imported into the US. I've seen this process first-hand. Had to deal with suppliers, and customs in Anchorage. I know how this works.

And there is nothing worse than unpredictability - because it cannot be easily planned for. And even when you can plan for it, it causes costs to go through the roof by necessity. Expect that if this instability continues, inflation will follow. Which is again why this is germane to eye care -- do not expect suppliers to start dropping their prices rapidly, even if the tariffs are removed.
 
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