Hot Topic: Tariffs
In February, Graham Rigby, President & CEO at American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), was on LinkedIn to spread the news that the Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant the President of the United States the authority to impose tariffs. As AHPA explained, this ruling finds almost all of the major tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, including wide-ranging, nation-scale “reciprocal” tariffs announced in April of 2025, to be unlawful.
“The Supreme Court’s decision provides tariff relief for many goods, including imported unavailable natural resources and specialized manufacturing equipment for which AHPA has consistently sought common sense treatment since last spring,” Rigby said. “While we await clarity on refunds for duties already paid by our members and the wider industry, AHPA remains committed to advocating for trade policies that support American businesses and ensure continued consumer access to safe, well-regulated dietary supplements and natural products.”
AHPA soon had another tariff update to share: Following the Supreme Court decision, President Trump announced a new global 10% tariff, issued under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. As AHPA explained, this new rate is generally effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. EST February 24, 2026.
President Trump then stated on social media that he would further increase this tariff to 15%.
AHPA encouraged members to review the scope of the new tariff and obtain appropriate legal advice regarding applicability, and for a helpful resource, the association will be updating its Tariff Toolkit to reflect the latest.
Fact Check: Supplement regulations
"Many of the supplements people take are unnecessary...and can even be risky," according to experts quoted in a New York Times (NYT) article, who say supplements can contain contaminants or excessive levels of nutrients, or interact with certain over-the-counter or prescription medications. The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) issued a response to the article, setting the record straight on key points.
One major concern with the reporting: "The article raises concerns about contamination, excess intake, and interactions, but does not reflect the existing regulatory framework governing dietary supplements in the U.S.," the trade group explained. "All supplement manufacturers are required to operate under FDA-enforced current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs), which necessitate identity testing, purity standards, and quality controls. Moreover, the vast majority of Americans who use supplements do so safely and responsibly, often following label directions or healthcare provider advice. Risk, where it exists, is best addressed through education and transparency, not broad dismissal of an entire category."
Get the full story: “Do You Need These Popular Supplements?” CRN Responds to NYT article. And in on-going efforts to fight misinformation, CRN regularly posts on LinkedIn with fact-checks and added context to help clarify messaging in the mainstream media.
Paying it Forward: Mentorship
“If you think you are NOT a mentor, you are likely wrong :)”
That’s the message Karen Howard, CEO/Executive Director at Organic and Natural Health Association, Board Member Women in Nutraceuticals, Author of Upset is Optional, was sharing on LinkedIn. Howard was already spreading the word on a new book by Amy Summers' book, LIFT: 10 Mentorship Touchpoints to Empower Your Team and Accelerate Your Career. “[This book] is a must, must read, with lessons for everyone in the workplace,” Howard posted. “After all, being a good human being who cares about the people we work for, with, and serve, is essential in our industry!”
