The Trump administration says it plans to appeal a federal judge’s order that allows all US importers who paid previously struck-down tariffs to seek refunds. After the US Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that President Trump lacked constitutional authority to impose higher import taxes on goods from nearly all other countries, customs and border authorities began processing refund claims. Some businesses have already started receiving refunds, and the claims process is underway through the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) system.
Several outlets report that the administration’s appeal is likely to slow or disrupt the multibillion-dollar repayment process. Bloomberg and other coverage describes the appeal as targeting a broad order compelling refunds, including across-the-board refunds rather than only refunds for importers that had directly challenged the tariffs in court. Retail Dive adds that the Department of Justice argues the Court of International Trade lacks authority to require refunds for all finally liquidated entries.
The total refund claims discussed by outlets reach tens of billions of dollars, with CBP estimating the government owes about $166 billion, while more than $85 billion has already been reflected in early applications. The administration says it will seek to limit or overturn the scope of the refund order while the legal challenge proceeds.
