ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Rick Van Arnam, regulatory affairs counsel for The Vision Council, is hosting a webinar today, June 15, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. EDT, to provide an industry update on recent tariff developments. The session will address several key topics, including an overview of proposed modifications to Section 301, guidance for members on necessary actions before the public comment period ends, and clarification on pending questions regarding the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) refund portal.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s February decision, which limited the presidential authority to impose tariffs under IEEPA, the President subsequently imposed a temporary import surcharge of up to 15 percent for a maximum of 150 days under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. With these tariffs set to expire on July 24, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced findings from the Section 301 forced labor investigation, citing forced labor concerns across more than 60 countries, which for the optical industry, could mean additional costs at every level of the supply chain, according to The Vision Council.
On June 12, a federal court ruled that the U.S. government can continue collecting the 10 percent worldwide tariff it imposed in February while legal challenges to the levies continue to work their way through the courts, according to reporting by Associated Press.
The Vision Council members can also access the group’s tariff dashboard for the latest developments by clicking here.
