US government refunds $81b in illegal tariffs By MAY ZHOU in Houston, Texas | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2026-07-15 07:53

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202607/15/WS6a56cc1aa310986e2b46545e.html The US government has so far paid back $81 billion in tariffs to companies since the Supreme Court ruled in February that those tariffs were illegal, according to federal budget data disclosed on Monday. In a 6-3 ruling in February, the Supreme Court decided that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant President Donald Trump the power to unilaterally impose tariffs of indefinite scope. The decision opened the door for companies to file refund claims.