Trump Administration Refunds $100 billion After Supreme Court Strikes Down Tariffs

Customs officials told the U.S. Court of International Trade that the administration has returned roughly $100 billion—about 60 % of the $165 billion collected under the “liberation day” tariffs—following the Supreme Court’s February decision that a portion of those duties was illegal. The refunds were reported to the court on Tuesday, according to the Financial Times.

The Guardian

Since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, tariffs have been a central element of his economic strategy, promoted as a means to revive domestic production, secure better trade deals, and reduce the federal deficit. The tariffs, imposed on imports from more than 80 countries, generated the $165 billion in revenue now being partially returned.

The Guardian

The $100 billion refund represents the portion deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court. The administration has simultaneously introduced a fresh round of duties ranging from 10 % to 12.5 % on the same set of countries—including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China, and all 27 European Union members—under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which targets nations accused of forced-labour practices.

The Guardian

Administration officials argue that the new tariffs are justified because many trading partners have not taken sufficient steps to eliminate forced-labour products. In response, a coalition of 25 states filed a lawsuit in the Court of International Trade this week, seeking an order to halt the new duties, declare them unlawful, and require refunds of any duties already paid.

The Guardian