Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs: $166 Billion Refunds Go to Businesses
The Supreme Court struck down several Trump administration tariffs, triggering $166 billion in refunds to importing companies. Businesses that paid the tariffs directly to U.S. Customs are now applying for their money back through a new online portal.
A Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for $166 billion in tariff refunds, but the money is going to businesses, not consumers who paid higher prices.
The court struck down several Trump administration tariffs that were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Companies that directly paid these tariffs to U.S. Customs can now apply for refunds through an online portal.
Refunds will go to whoever was listed as the "importer of record" when goods entered the country. This is typically a U.S. company that brought products into the country, not the stores or consumers who eventually bought them.
A judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled last month that companies subjected to these specific tariffs were entitled to get their money back. The court majority didn't address refunds in the original Supreme Court ruling.
For consumers who paid higher prices on everything from electronics to clothing due to these tariffs, getting money back depends entirely on whether companies voluntarily pass along the refunds. There's no legal requirement for businesses to share the windfall with customers.
Even though consumers paid higher prices due to these tariffs, they won't get refunds directly. Companies that imported goods will get the money back, but there's no requirement for them to pass savings to customers who paid the inflated prices.
Businesses must provide bank account information to receive refunds through the government portal.
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