ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Session Handout: Part 2 – NEW TARIFF REALITY: Your Tariff Exposure Action Plan
Watch the Part 1 Recording: Part 1: NEW TARIFF REALITY: The New Rules of U.S. Trade
Watch the Part 3 Recording: Part 3 – NEW TARIFF REALITY: Planning for Post-July 24 and Beyond
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that struck down the broadest executive tariff authority in a generation. Within hours, the Administration activated Section 122 — a 10% global import surcharge now in effect through July 24, 2026. At the same time, a U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran has introduced new risk to energy markets, shipping lanes, and investor confidence, compounding an already complex operating environment for Midwest manufacturers.
This three-session series is designed to cut through the noise. Led by international trade development experts from the WBDC Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC at WBDC) and the Illinois District Export Council (ILDEC), each session moves from understanding to action — giving you the framework, tools, and individual advisory support to protect your business and position it for what comes next.
Session 2
$175 billion in IEEPA duties are now subject to refund, and the CBP protest window is fixed. This hands-on working session walks you through the IEEPA refund audit process, HTS cost mapping for your top inputs, supplier contract stress-testing, and potential USMCA-qualifying near-shore alternatives. Bring your data — our advisors will be in the room.
Who Should Attend
- Manufacturers with active import programs — especially those sourcing from China, Asia, or global suppliers
- Companies that paid IEEPA tariffs in 2025 and have not yet filed refund claims
- Operations, finance, and supply chain leaders with pending capex or near-shoring decisions
- Export-facing manufacturers seeking to diversify revenue geography as a tariff hedge
- Business owners who need to brief their board, lenders, or investors on tariff exposure
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to attend all three sessions?
Each session is self-contained and can be attended independently. However, the series is designed as a progression — participants who attend all three will leave with a complete action plan, a filled-in set of assessment tools, and scheduled advisory follow-up.
What should I bring to Sessions 2 and 3?
For Session 2: a list of your top 20 import suppliers and HTS codes if available; CBP ACE entry data is ideal but not required. For Session 3: your current Q2–Q3 financial projections and a list of capex decisions currently on hold.
Is this only for large manufacturers?
No. The series is designed for small and mid-sized manufacturers of all sizes — including companies with modest import programs. Import spend and tariff liability are not the same number. A manufacturer with $300K in annual imports could easily have paid $50K or more in IEEPA tariffs depending on their HTS codes and the specific rates applied to their imports. If your company imports goods, pays duties, and is trying to understand what the SCOTUS ruling, Section 122, or the July 24 cliff means for your cost structure and planning — this series is for you.
