Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says
Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was a guest on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday, discussing the conflict in Iran, oil prices, and the state of the economy, as well as providing a brief update on tariffs.
When asked about President Donald Trump’s statement that he will raise the global tariff to 15 percent from its current 10 percent, Bessent said the increase would likely be implemented sometime this week.
The U.S. tax on imports has stood at 10 percent following the Supreme Court’s Feb. 20 ruling that the tariffs Trump implemented using the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) were illegal.
The IEEPA tariffs were terminated on Feb. 24, but the Trump administration immediately placed a 10 percent across-the-board levy in their place under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The provision empowers the president to impose temporary import duties of up to 15 percent to “deal with large and serious United States balance-of-payments deficits,” and Trump continually has indicated that he will increase tariffs to the maximum allowed.
Tariffs are allowed to remain in place under section 122 for 150 days, or about five months.
On Wednesday, Bessent said during the 150 days, the administration will be looking at implementing additional tariffs, mentioning specifically section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and section 232, a section of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
“It is my strong belief that the tariff rates will be back to their old rate within five months,” he said.
Also this week, a federal judge ruled that companies that paid tariffs imposed under IEEPA are legally entitled to a refund, the first step in what’s guaranteed to be a drawn-out legal battle.
Senior Judge Richard K. Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued the ruling Wednesday in a case brought by Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc., a Nashville, Tennessee-based company that makes filters.
He wrote, “Plaintiff’s entries are among the millions of entries that were entered subject to IEEPA duties, which the Supreme Court ruled unlawful … All importers of record whose entries were subject to IEEPA duties are entitled to the benefit of the [Supreme Court’s] decision.”
Eaton also noted that when ruling on Trump’s IEEPA tariffs, the Supreme Court gave the CIT exclusive subject matter jurisdiction to hear refund claims, and that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts has indicated that Eaton is the only judge who will hear cases on IEEPA tariff refunds.
“So,” Eaton wrote, “there is no danger that another judge, even one in this court, will reach any contrary conclusions.
“To find otherwise would be to thwart the efficient administration of justice and to deny those importers who have filed suit the efficient resolution of their claims, and to deny entirely importers who have not filed suit the benefit of the [Supreme Court’s] decision.”
The Latest

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association

In the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.

The 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.

Retailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.

Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.


The expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.

The lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.

Colored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.

The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.

Two suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.

Finsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.

Michel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.

Longtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.

The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.

Jamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.

Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.

Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.

The mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.

Honest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.

QVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.

The brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.

Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.

Sponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers

Cloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.

Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.

Etsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.

The “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.






















