Appeals court pauses ruling blocking Trump tariffs
A growing legal battle over former President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs has prompted major brands and importers to file suits and spurred government filings quantifying the stakes: DOJ says roughly $130 billion was collected under the IEEPA tariffs across about 301,000 importers and 34 million entry filings, while other analyses put total tariff revenue as high as $259 billion and estimate up to $168 billion could be owed in refunds. Customs and Border Protection has been fast‑tracking liquidation to Treasury — shortening the normal 314‑day window — which has raised refund concerns even as DOJ says liquidation won’t affect refund availability, and the administration could seek similar tariff measures under Sections 232 or 301 if IEEPA tariffs are struck down.
📌 Key Facts
- A December DOJ filing says roughly $130 billion was collected under the IEEPA tariffs, involving about 301,000 importers and roughly 34 million entry filings; CBP has been fast‑tracking liquidation to Treasury, shortening the usual 314‑day window as the first tranche reached that deadline.
- Separate reporting shows the U.S. has collected $259 billion in tariff revenue through Dec. 5, and the effective U.S. tariff rate reached 16.8% as of Nov. 17 — the highest since 1935.
- Analysts estimate the U.S. could owe importers up to $168 billion in refunds if the Supreme Court strikes down the IEEPA tariffs; DOJ contends ongoing liquidations would not prevent the availability of refunds after a final decision.
- Major companies — including Costco, Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods and the maker of Ray‑Ban — have filed suits in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking potential tariff refunds.
- A House Democrats report estimates households paid an average of $1,197.50 in tariffs between February and November, totaling nearly $160 billion.
- Legal experts say the administration could try to impose similar tariff levels under Section 232 or Section 301 if IEEPA tariffs are struck down, though those authorities come with more restrictions.
- White House spokesman Kush Desai warned the economic and national security consequences of failing to uphold the tariffs are enormous and said the administration looks forward to a speedy Supreme Court resolution.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly questioned refund mechanics, raising concerns about arrangements where foreign suppliers lowered prices and importers deducted tariff costs.
📰 Sources (3)
A potential tariff refund fight is already chaotic
New information:
- Major brands including Costco, Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods and the maker of Ray-Ban have now filed suits in the U.S. Court of International Trade to secure potential tariff refunds.
- A new DOJ filing (Thursday) quantifies scope: roughly $130 billion collected under IEEPA tariffs, ~301,000 importers involved, and ~34 million entry filings.
- DOJ asserts that 'liquidation will not affect the availability of refunds' after a final decision, countering plaintiffs’ concerns.
- CBP has been fast-tracking liquidation to Treasury; the usual liquidation window is 314 days, with the first tranche of China tariffs hitting that deadline Monday.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly questioned refund mechanics where foreign suppliers lowered prices and importers deducted tariff costs.
U.S. could owe businesses $168B if Supreme Court rejects Trump tariffs
New information:
- Analysis estimates the U.S. could owe importers up to $168 billion in refunds if the Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s IEEPA tariffs.
- The U.S. has collected $259 billion in tariff revenue through December 5.
- Effective U.S. tariff rate reached 16.8% as of November 17, the highest since 1935, per Yale Budget Lab.
- Households paid an average of $1,197.50 in tariffs between February and November, totaling nearly $160 billion, according to a report from House Democrats.
- White House spokesman Kush Desai said the economic and national security consequences of failing to uphold the tariffs are enormous and the administration looks forward to a speedy Supreme Court resolution.
- Legal experts note the administration could pursue similar tariff levels under Section 232 or Section 301 if IEEPA tariffs are struck down, though with more restrictions.