Thursday, August 13, 2026
TARIFF.NEWS DAILY BRIEFING — August 12, 2026
REFUND PROCESS: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPEALS
The Trump administration is appealing the IEEPA tariff refund process, according to SeafoodSource, the most consequential development for importers awaiting relief following the Supreme Court's February ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump. The appeal signals the administration intends to fight the refund mechanism established by the courts, creating fresh uncertainty for businesses that have already begun receiving payments. Separately, dental equipment company Envista reported receiving a $12.6 million IEEPA tariff refund, with Pulse 2.0 noting the payment coincided with a 28% rise in adjusted EBITDA — an early sign of the financial impact refunds are having on corporate earnings.
ECONOMY AND CONSUMER PRICES
Inflation eased slightly in July, with the consumer price index rising just 0.1% on the month and the annual rate falling to 3.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics via NPR and The Hill. Gasoline remains a pressure point, however, with prices holding near $4 per gallon — a record high for this point in the summer season, GasBuddy reported. Analysts attributed elevated fuel costs in part to ongoing U.S.-Iran military tensions, which continue to weigh on oil markets.
PRIMARIES AND MIDTERM LANDSCAPE
Tuesday's primary elections reshaped several November battlegrounds. In Wisconsin, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley defeated democratic socialist Francesca Hong in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, according to Decision Desk HQ via The Hill — a win for the party's establishment wing that prompted election forecaster Sabato's Crystal Ball to shift the race toward Democrats. In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan won the Democratic Senate primary over Rep. Angie Craig, delivering a victory for progressives. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont fended off a progressive primary challenge and will face Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio in November. President Trump suffered a notable setback as his endorsed candidate, Mike Lindell, lost Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial primary by roughly 11 percentage points to state House Speaker Lisa Demuth. Lindell has declined to concede, alleging voting irregularities, The Hill reported.
LEGISLATION AND POLICY
Congress departed for its five-week August recess with significant business unfinished, including appropriations work needed to prevent an October 1 government shutdown, The Hill reported. Senate Republicans are also navigating vaccine policy turbulence, with the Trump administration's immunization overhaul drawing criticism from the World Health Organization, which said the changes are "not aligned with decades of evidence." The Treasury Department finalized repeal of a Biden-era beneficial ownership reporting requirement for U.S. businesses, according to The Hill.
BUSINESS AND TRADE
China is moving to join Brazil's WTO challenge of U.S. forced labor duties, according to Undercurrent News — a development that could broaden the international legal front against American trade enforcement measures. On Main Street, shifting consumer habits are favoring gyms, salons, and experiential businesses over traditional retail, NPR reported.
ADMINISTRATION NOTES
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down at the end of the month to focus on her family, President Trump announced via TruthSocial, according to The Hill. A lawsuit was filed against Trump's media company over a service offering Wall Street firms faster access to the president's Truth Social posts, NPR reported.
WHAT TO WATCH
The South Carolina Republican Senate primary heads to a runoff on August 25, with Sen. Darline Graham facing Rep. Ralph Norman. Businesses and legal observers should monitor the administration's IEEPA refund appeal closely for court scheduling updates, as any stay or procedural ruling could affect the timing of pending refund payments. The October 1 government funding deadline also looms as Congress returns from recess.