U.S. Court Orders CBP Commissioner to Testify on $166B Tariff Refunds
The Trump administration is appealing a universal injunction requiring full refunds of $166 billion in tariffs the Supreme Court ruled illegal under IEEPA. The administration argues only businesses that sued should be repaid, while the Court of International Trade has ordered Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott to testify on June 9 in New York about the refund process. Partial refunds have begun, but eligibility for older payments remains disputed.
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The $166 billion tariff refund question: Who actually gets paid back?
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection official is set to testify in federal court about plans to refund billions in tariffs that the Supreme Court ruled were illegally imposed by President Donald Trump. The dispute centers on whether only companies that sued to challenge the tariffs are eligible for refunds, or all importers who paid them. The Justice Department argues only parties in the 2,500+ lawsuits qualify, while a judge has ordered a universal refund system. CBP has launched an online portal and processed $89.6 billion in claims, issuing $20.6 billion so far, but has limited applications to recent payments while the eligibility question is on appeal. The hearing will focus on expanding refunds to older tariff payments.
Fortune | FORTUNETrump Administration Continues Legal Fight to Retain Billions in Unlawful Tariff Revenue
The Trump administration is persisting in its legal battle to avoid refunding all $166 billion in tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled were illegally collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Despite beginning partial refunds in April, the administration argues it should only refund businesses that filed lawsuits, leaving many others uncompensated. The Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a universal injunction in March ordering full refunds, which the administration is now appealing. Separately, CIT Judge Richard Eaton has ordered Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott to testify on June 9 about the refund process, but the administration is trying to block his appearance. The Liberty Justice Center, representing plaintiffs, notes that refund progress only occurred due to court orders.
Reason.comTrump Administration Appeals Order to Refund All Illegal Tariff Revenue
The Trump administration is continuing to resist fully refunding approximately $166 billion in tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled illegal in February 2026. The tariffs were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the high court found does not authorize presidential tariffs. The Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a universal injunction in March ordering refunds to all importers, but the administration is appealing that order to the Federal Circuit. The administration argues it should only refund businesses that filed lawsuits, leaving many others uncompensated. Separately, CIT Judge Richard Eaton has ordered Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott to appear in court on June 9 to testify about the refund process, but the administration is trying to block that appearance. Judge Eaton criticized the administration's claim of voluntarily refunding tariffs, noting progress only occurred due to court orders. The Liberty Justice Center, representing plaintiffs, supports Eaton's position.
Reason.comTrump Administration Continues Legal Fight to Retain Billions in Unlawful Tariff Revenue
The Trump administration is persisting in legal efforts to avoid refunding all $166 billion in tariffs that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled were illegally collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Despite beginning partial refunds in April, the administration argues it should only repay businesses that filed lawsuits, leaving many others uncompensated. The Court of International Trade (CIT) issued a universal injunction in March ordering full refunds, which the administration is now appealing. Separately, CIT Judge Richard Eaton has ordered Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott to testify on June 9 about the refund process, but the administration is trying to block his appearance. The Liberty Justice Center, representing plaintiffs, notes that refund progress only occurred due to court orders.
Reason.comCourt Orders CBP Commissioner to Testify at Tariff Refunds Hearing
The U.S. Court of International Trade has ordered Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott to appear at a hearing on June 9 in New York to testify about the tariff refunds process being implemented by the Trump administration. The court's order compels the commissioner's personal appearance, indicating judicial scrutiny of the administration's handling of tariff refunds. This development highlights ongoing legal challenges related to trade policy and customs procedures under the previous administration.
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