The President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated this Friday that his administration does not plan to reimburse companies for the billions of dollars paid in tariffs over the past year, following the Supreme Court ruling that partially annulled his tariff scheme.
During a press conference at the White House, Trump stated that the Supreme Court did not address the issue of refunds in its decision, predicting a lengthy legal battle ahead.
"I suppose it will have to be litigated for the next two years. They drafted a terrible and flawed decision, completely flawed. It’s almost as if it wasn't written by intelligent people," the leader stated.
When directly asked whether his administration plans to respect possible refunds to the affected companies, he responded: “I just gave them the answer, didn't I? I have given them the answer. It has not been debated. We will be in court for the next five years.”
In the same appearance, Trump stated that he does not need Congress to reimpose tariffs via executive action, despite the judicial setback. However, he added that if he were to seek legislative support, "he would probably get it."
The Supreme Court ruling determined that the Executive cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs in times of peace without congressional authorization, as these are considered a tax.
The president's statements introduce uncertainty about the fate of the funds collected under the now-questioned tariffs and anticipate new lawsuits from companies that may seek to reclaim the payments made.
The legal dispute adds a new chapter to the commercial strategy of the Trump administration, which has defended tariffs as a key tool to protect domestic industry and reduce the trade deficit.
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