On Friday, the US Supreme Court found that the tariffs introduced by Donald Trump in 2025 are illegal. These are increased rates imposed under the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). The most controversial import taxes were abolished, including the 10% tax. minimum duty on goods from almost all countries, 15%. customs duties on EU goods, as well as punitive tariffs imposed on China, Canada, Mexico and Brazil.
Following this Supreme Court decision to invalidate the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump American companies are demanding the refund of customs duties worth a total of over USD 130 billion. – the British newspaper “Financial Times” reported on Saturday.
According to data from the Customs and Border Protection Office, quoted by “FT”, the funds obtained by mid-December 2025 from the introduced customs duties amounted to USD 133.5 billion. In turn, data from Yale University say it is USD 142 billion. for all of 2025, and JPMorgan bank estimates that the total amount of duties collected may be up to USD 200 billion.
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As reported by the British daily, business groups representing large and small companies in the US have called for a quick refund process, although administration officials in Washington and analysts warn that it could take up to years.
— The quick refund of unacceptable customs duties will be important for over 200,000 people. small import companies in this country and will help support stronger economic growth this year, said Neil Bradley of the US Chamber of Commerce, quoted by “FT”.
Compensation for tariffs will be decided by lower courts
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Trump did not have the authority to impose tariffs under IEEPA. The regulations, previously used mainly to introduce sanctions, constituted the legal basis for most of the tariffs imposed by the US president.
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As noted by the FT, the Supreme Court's ruling did not provide any guidance on rights to reimbursement and how they could be paid, leaving the issue to a lower court to decide.
However, the US president did not give up and just a few hours later he announced that will immediately introduce a global tariff of 10%. under Article 122 of 1974. This solution allows for the imposition of customs duties for a period of up to 150 days.
