Executive Order Summary: Ending Certain Tariff Actions
Below is a summary of the Presidential Executive Order ending IEEPA Tariffs, issued on February 20, 2026.
To review the full Presidential Executive Order, please click on the link below.
Executive Order: ENDING CERTAIN TARIFF ACTIONS
Section 1. Background
Main Action
- President terminates additional tariffs imposed under multiple previous executive orders while maintaining underlying national emergency declarations
- Immediate cessation of ad valorem duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
- Selective enforcement ending – only specific tariff-related actions are being discontinued, not entire emergency frameworks
Background Context
- Nine separate executive orders previously established tariffs and emergency measures between February 2025 and February 2026
- Geographic scope included actions targeting Canada (northern border), Mexico (southern border), China, Venezuela, Brazil, Russia, Cuba, and Iran
- Legal foundation built on multiple authorities including IEEPA, National Emergencies Act, and Trade Act of 1974
- Diverse justifications ranged from drug trafficking concerns to trade deficit issues and national security threats
Specific Executive Orders Affected
- Executive Order 14193 (February 1, 2025) – Addressed illicit drug flow across northern border with Canada
- Executive Order 14194 (February 1, 2025) – Targeted southern border situation with Mexico
- Executive Order 14195 (February 1, 2025) – Focused on synthetic opioid supply chain from China
- Executive Order 14245 (March 24, 2025) – Imposed tariffs on countries importing Venezuelan oil
- Executive Order 14257 (April 2, 2025) – Implemented reciprocal tariffs to address trade deficits
- Executive Order 14323 (July 30, 2025) – Addressed threats from Brazilian government
- Executive Order 14329 (August 6, 2025) – Targeted Russian Federation threats
- Executive Order 14380 (January 29, 2026) – Addressed Cuban government threats
- Executive Order 14382 (February 6, 2026) – Targeted Iranian government threats
What’s Being Terminated
- All additional ad valorem duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
- Tariff collection mechanisms related to these specific duties
- Implementation steps necessary for collecting these particular tariffs
What Remains in Effect
- National emergencies declared in all nine executive orders continue unchanged
- All other actions taken under these orders that don’t involve IEEPA tariffs
- Non-tariff measures addressing national security, foreign policy, and economic threats
- Authority to take future actions under existing emergency declarations
Legal Framework
- Action taken under presidential constitutional authority and multiple federal statutes
- Based on International Emergency Economic Powers Act, National Emergencies Act, and Trade Act of 1974
- Emergency declarations remain active – only specific tariff tools being discontinued
Ending IEEPA Tariffs Timeline
- Tariff termination effective immediately upon order signing
- Collection cessation to occur “as soon as practicable”
- No specified end date for ongoing national emergency status
Section 2. Implementation
Administrative Responsibilities
- Timeline: Agencies must begin implementation steps immediately and terminate tariff collection “as soon as practicable”
- Delegation Powers: Agency heads may redelegate implementation authority within their agencies, consistent with applicable law
- Key Officials: Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Homeland Security, and U.S. Trade Representative lead the coordination effort in ending the IEEPA Tariffs
- Consultation Requirements: Must work with Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Chair of U.S. International Trade Commission, and other appropriate senior officials
- Tariff Schedule Modifications: Officials may modify the Harmonized Tariff Schedule through Federal Register notices if necessary to implement the order
Important Limitations and Exceptions
- Unaffected Policies: The February 20, 2026 Executive Order suspending duty-free de minimis treatment and the February 20, 2026 Proclamation imposing temporary import surcharges remain in effect
- Scope Restriction: Only affects additional ad valorem duties imposed under IEEPA through the specified executive orders
- Other Duties Preserved: Does not impact duties imposed under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
Section 3. General Provisions
- (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
- (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
- (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
- (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
- (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
- (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Homeland Security.
Should you or your organization have any questions with respect to this Executive Order, or its impact to your imports, please do not hesitate to contact your Dominion Customs Consultants representative, or feel free to reach us here.
