Story perspectives

CBP Opens $170 B Refund Portal After Tariff Declared Unlawful

5/10/2026

Center

Customs Opens Refunds

Customs and Border Protection opened a portal for importers to claim refunds on estimated $166-$175 billion collected under invalidated 10 % tariff.
An International Trade panel ruled the 10 % tariff unlawful, limiting injunction to Washington and two importers and keeping levy until July 24.
White House spokesman Kush Desai said administration is reviewing options and remains confident of success.
President Donald Trump called judges “radical left,” said ruling unsurprising, and promised other tariff actions.

Left

Court Blocks Tariffs

Rethink Trade said U.S. manufacturing jobs fell 82,000 and the trade deficit grew in Q1 2026, indicating limited tariff benefit.
The Court of International Trade ruled 2-1 that President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs breach the 1974 Trade Act, halting collection.
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) called the tariffs illegal and urged refunds for families paying $2,000.
Kush Desai said appeal and noted President Trump pledged a tariff strategy before China talks.

History

Historical Context

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff, signed by President Herbert Hoover on June 17 1930, lifted duties to an effective 60 % and triggered retaliatory taxes that cut U.S. imports by two-thirds. Over nine decades later, the U.S. Court of International Trade blocked President Donald Trump’s 10 % tariff, reminding policymakers of the trade-war fallout first seen in the 1930s.

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Customs Opens Refunds

Customs and Border Protection opened a portal for importers to claim refunds on estimated $166-$175 billion collected under invalidated 10 % tariff.
An International Trade panel ruled the 10 % tariff unlawful, limiting injunction to Washington and two importers and keeping levy until July 24.
White House spokesman Kush Desai said administration is reviewing options and remains confident of success.
President Donald Trump called judges “radical left,” said ruling unsurprising, and promised other tariff actions.

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