The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has welcomed a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States striking down the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs, urging authorities to move swiftly to return unlawfully collected duties.
In a statement released February 20, the Washington-based trade group said the ruling reaffirmed that tariff authority rests with Congress, not the executive branch. The association described the decision as an important step toward restoring legal clarity and predictability in U.S. trade policy.
AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar said companies across the apparel and footwear supply chain had borne significant costs under the disputed tariff regime. He emphasized that affected importers should receive refunds without unnecessary delay.
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The group expressed confidence in the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to process claims efficiently through its existing electronic systems, but stressed the need for clear guidance to ensure businesses can recover funds promptly.
Industry stakeholders are now closely watching how federal agencies and courts will handle refund procedures following the high court’s decision. AAFA called on the administration and Congress to work with the private sector to rebuild a more stable and legally grounded trade framework.
The ruling is expected to have wide implications for importers, particularly in the apparel and footwear sector, where tariff costs have weighed heavily on sourcing and pricing decisions in recent years.
