The Automotive Leaders Podcast IEEPA Struck Down — Why the Tariff Pressure Remains
Download the full webinar slides here
Special Audio from the February 20th Seraph Webinar
Tariffs were struck down.
So why does the pressure still feel the same?
If the Supreme Court ruled against IEEPA, why aren’t costs meaningfully lower?
This special episode is different.
It is the full audio recording from the February 20th Seraph IEEPA Tariff Revocation Impact Webinar, led by Ambrose Conroy, CEO of Seraph.
In this episode of the Automotive Leaders Podcast, Jan Griffiths joins Ambrose and Harrison Catlin as they break down what the Supreme Court decision actually changed and what it didn’t.
Headlines suggested relief. But Section 122 tariffs were implemented almost immediately. Effective rates dropped briefly, then climbed back up — not fully to prior IEEPA levels, but still materially impactful.
This conversation goes beyond policy.
It is about enterprise risk, supply chain resilience, and what leaders must do next.
Themes Discussed in this Episode
- What the Supreme Court ruling actually changed
- How Section 122 partially restored tariff levels
- The three critical dates: entry date, liquidation date, protest window
- How Post Summary Corrections (PSC) impact refund strategy
- OEM debit risk and cascading supply chain pressure
- Why geopolitics — not just tariffs — is the real long-term risk
- The July 2026 convergence: Section 122 expiration and USMCA negotiations
- Using AI and prediction markets to anticipate legal outcomes
- Why reshoring must continue regardless of short-term tariff shifts
Featured Guest:
Ambrose Conroy is the Founder and CEO of Seraph, a global operational excellence and manufacturing strategy firm. He advises CEOs, boards, and private equity leaders on supply chain restructuring, footprint acceleration, and industrial resilience in volatile geopolitical environments.
Ambrose is known for his reality-first perspective on manufacturing strategy and for translating global uncertainty into decisive operational action.
About Your Host – Jan Griffiths
Jan Griffiths is a champion for culture transformation and the host of the Automotive Leaders Podcast. A former automotive executive with a rebellious spirit, Jan is known for challenging outdated norms and inspiring leaders to ditch command and control. She brings honesty, energy, and courage to every conversation, proving that authentic, human-centered leadership is the future of the automotive industry.
Episode Highlights
[01:05] Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA tariffs
[02:00] Section 122 implemented and effective rates climb back
[06:07] What tools remain available to the administration
[11:55] Refund mechanics: entry date, liquidation date, PSC filings
[14:46] OEM debit risk and supply chain tension
[18:08] China, Taiwan, and geopolitical escalation
[25:47] July 2026 - Section 122 expiration meets USMCA negotiations
[30:00] AI and prediction markets used to model the ruling
[32:00] Why tariffs are likely here to stay
Top Quotes
[11:38] Ambrose: “ Tariffs are a core tenet.”
[17:23] Ambrose: “ Pre-COVID supply chain was, was a function that was seen as supportive. Now it's so core, and it's so critical, and it's so impactful so many times because everything is so fragile since we've sought the lowest cost and lowest price and not necessarily taken into account true resiliency. “
[27:43] Jan: “Get your arms around the data, get visibility all the way through the supply chain. And make sure that you know those dates, the entry date and the liquidation date, and that you've got the right team of people around you with the right set of expertise.”
[26:34] Ambrose: “ The only thing that it is clear to me if you if you want to sell a product in the United States, make it in the United States, source it in the United States.”
If this episode resonated, share it with a fellow automotive leader and subscribe to The Automotive Leaders Podcast, where we’re shaping the future of authentic leadership in the automotive industry.
This podcast episode is also available on YouTube. Check out our YouTube channel at Jangriffithsautomotiveleaders
Send us your feedback or questions — email Jan at Jan@Gravitasdetroit.com.