Company leaders, customs specialists, and legal experts are preparing for a crucial Supreme Court decision on the validity of the extensive global tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. There is a potential battle looming over the retrieval of up to $150 billion USD in reimbursements from the U.S. government for duties previously paid by importers if the ruling does not favor Trump. The outlook that the court might annul the tariffs imposed by Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 heightened after discussions in November, during which both conservative and liberal justices expressed doubts about the legality of the duties.
While companies are hopeful for a favorable outcome from the court regarding Trump’s tariffs, they are bracing for potential challenges in reclaiming their funds. Jim Estill, the CEO of Danby Appliances, a Canadian company that imports products from China and other countries impacted by the tariffs, expressed concerns about the complexity of retrieving $7 million and potential complications with retailers like Home Depot seeking a share of the refunds.
Trump’s implementation of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act marked a historical first, generating an estimated $133.5 billion USD in collections from February 4 to December 14, 2025, based on data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The total collection is projected to reach close to $150 billion USD, as indicated by the average daily collection rates from late September to mid-December.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has expressed confidence in the Supreme Court supporting Trump, while U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer believes that any lost revenues could be compensated for through new tariffs imposed by Trump under alternative legal authorities. Importers are closely monitoring the refund process, with the outcome hinging on the Supreme Court’s instructions or potential remand to a lower court.
Several companies, including Costco, Bumble Bee Foods, Revlon, EssilorLuxottica, Kawasaki Motors, and Yokohama Tire, have initiated legal actions to safeguard their rights to potential refunds. Despite the anticipation for a streamlined refund process following a technical change by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, uncertainties remain about the handling of a ruling against Trump’s tariffs.