The refund is real. The amount is staggering. And neither the federal government nor the businesses expecting payment has a clear plan for how it happens.
On 20 February 2026, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that President Trump's broad IEEPA-based tariffs on imports from most of the world were unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Gorsuch and Barrett, applied the Major Questions Doctrine: Congress must explicitly authorize executive actions of "vast economic significance," and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act contains no reference to tariffs or import duties. The ruling took effect immediately.
The aftermath is messier than the ruling itself.
“That figure was cited by CBP officials in sealed congressional testimony described publicly by Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-ID) on 15 April 2026.”
**By the numbers**
