More than 1,000 companies are suing over Trump's tariffs

The Supreme Court may soon rule on the legality of most of President Trump's tariffs, and more than 1,000 corporate entities have filed suits seeking refunds; if the court strikes down the administration's use of a 1977 emergency powers law, questions about refunds will likely be handled by lower courts.

The Supreme Court may soon decide the legality of most of President Trump's tariffs after a November hearing that signaled some justices' skepticism. In the weeks since that hearing, hundreds of businesses — spanning small importers to larger corporations — have filed cases seeking refunds of duties they paid. Lower federal courts previously found the tariffs unlawful but allowed enforcement to continue while the litigation proceeds. A ruling against the administration's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act would likely shift the question of refunds to lower courts. Known details: - The article reports that more than 1,000 corporate entities are now involved in the legal fight, with at least 914 cases filed by Jan. 6 and many of those complaints lodged after the November hearing. - The article reports Customs and Border Protection had collected approximately $133 billion in duties tied to the emergency authority as of Dec. 14, and that tariffs were collected from more than 301,000 importers across 34 million shipments as of Dec. 10. - The article says that if the Supreme Court finds the emergency powers misuse, decisions about who can recover refunds would likely be left to lower courts, principally the U.S. Court of International Trade, and that importers generally would need to sue to seek money back. - The article mentions publicly traded companies including Costco, EssilorLuxottica and Goodyear among firms that have sued for refunds, and it notes a wide mix of other brands and smaller importers have also filed cases. - The article reports the administration has indicated it may try to reimpose tariffs using different legal authorities, such as national security provisions, if the emergency authority is rejected. Summary: A Supreme Court decision could determine whether the tariffs remain enforceable and who may seek refunds. If the court rules the emergency authority unlawful, the article says refund disputes are likely to be resolved in lower courts and through additional litigation. The timing and structure of any refund process are undetermined at this time.