Trade court in US to decide next steps in Trump tariff refunds

WASHINGTON: A key legal battle over tariffs imposed by Donald Trump is now back before the US Court of International Trade, which will determine the next steps in handling potential refunds worth more than $130 billion.

The move comes after the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit approved a request by importers to return the case to the trade court, where it was originally filed in early 2025. The Trump administration had opposed sending the case back, seeking a delay of up to four months to review its legal options.

Earlier, on February 20, the US Supreme Court struck down the tariffs, ruling they were not valid under the economic emergency law used to impose them. However, the court did not provide instructions on how refunds should be issued, leaving the matter unresolved.

More than 300,000 importers have paid the tariffs, and around 2,000, including major firms such as FedEx, have already filed lawsuits seeking repayment. Smaller businesses are hoping for a straightforward and low-cost refund process through customs authorities.

With the case now back in its hands, the trade court is expected to decide how the refund process should proceed. Importers have urged the court to direct the government to begin establishing a clear system for returning the funds.