According to SeafoodSource, the U.S. Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a mandate moving multiple lawsuits concerning tariffs forward. This action follows a late February ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court which found the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to justify the tariff program implemented in April 2025 was illegal, agreeing with prior decisions from lower courts.

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The mandate, issued on March 2, sends the case back to the U.S. Court of International Trade. This procedural step lifts a prior stay and allows hundreds of related cases, which had been paused, to begin advancing again. The mandate was issued despite a motion from the U.S. Department of Justice requesting a 90-day delay, which the court rejected.

With jurisdiction returned to the trial court, the Court of International Trade will now decide how to manage the numerous pending lawsuits, which include actions from seafood companies. The next phase of the process is expected to involve further administrative orders, though the specific handling of the cases remains uncertain.

The issuance of the mandate represents a procedural step following the Supreme Court’s decision, initiating the path toward potential refunds for parties that challenged the tariffs.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform