Importers brace for $150 billion tariff refund fight if Trump loses at Supreme Court

[BumRushDaShow]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Lasher (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Reuters

January 8, 2026 6:24 AM EST Updated 3 hours ago


WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Company executives, customs brokers and trade lawyers are bracing for a Supreme Court ruling on the legality of President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs - and a potential fight over obtaining perhaps $150 billion in refunds from the U.S. government for duties already paid by importers if he loses.

Anticipation that the court will strike down the tariffs Trump imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 rose after the November arguments in the case when conservative and liberal justices alike voiced skepticism about whether that law gave him the authority to levy the duties. The court is expected to issue rulings on Friday but, as is customary, has not said what case or cases will be acted upon.

Some companies anticipate that even if the court invalidates Trump's tariffs, the Republican president will not make it easy for them to get refunds. "It's not in the government's DNA to give back money. And Trump would not want to give back money," said Jim Estill, CEO of Danby Appliances, a Canadian company that sells small refrigerators, microwaves and laundry equipment through big-box stores including Home Depot.

The products are made in China and other Asian countries targeted by the Trump tariffs. If Danby can get its $7 million back, Estill said he is also concerned Home Depot and its customers will want a cut. "It's just going to be a dog's breakfast," Estill added, meaning a mess. Trump is the first president to invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, to impose tariffs. This law historically had been used for imposing sanctions on U.S. adversaries or freezing their assets.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/importers-brace-150-billion-tariff-refund-fight-if-trump-loses-supreme-court-2026-01-08/

[BigmanPigman]

1. Is SCOTUS going to tell tRump, "No" for once?

[FakeNoose]

2. How do we consumers get our refunds?

We're the ones who actually pay these tariffs, as everyone knows. The importers have passed the cost on to us, and we pay for it when we purchase the imported goods.

Now they expect a refund? That's just just a free payday for them.

[FredGarvin]

3. I hope the Dems point this out

[Lasher]

4. Locking.

This is a feature article.