A U.S. trade court judge has ordered refunds for companies that paid tariffs imposed under a controversial policy by Donald Trump after the measures were struck down by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that companies which paid the now-invalid tariffs are entitled to receive refunds.
The decision follows last month’s landmark ruling by the Supreme Court that invalidated Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs and additional duties linked to fentanyl-related concerns.
The court determined that the president had overstepped his authority by using the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to impose sweeping tariffs on goods from multiple countries.
According to the ruling, the law allows certain emergency economic actions but does not authorize the imposition of tariffs.
Judge Eaton said importers who paid the duties must receive the “benefit” of the Supreme Court’s decision, meaning they should be reimbursed for the tariffs collected.
The ruling came in response to a case brought by Atmus Filtration Technologies, which challenged the legality of the tariffs.
Although the case was filed by a single company, Eaton stated that he will oversee all related refund cases moving forward, potentially affecting numerous businesses that paid the duties during the period when the tariffs were in force.
The tariffs had been widely criticized by trade groups and international partners for disrupting global supply chains and increasing costs for businesses.
The White House has not yet issued a public response to the court’s order.