FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the US government seeking a full refund of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump that were ruled illegal by the Supreme Court last week. The company, the first major firm to demand reimbursement, did not specify the amount but called for a complete return of duties paid.
The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision last Friday found that Trump overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy tariffs during peacetime. The ruling did not address refunds, prompting FedEx to take legal action to protect its rights as an importer.
The lawsuit, filed in the US Court of International Trade, names US Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States as defendants. FedEx stated it was 'seeking duty refunds' to recover the billions collected under the now-invalidated tariffs.
Other companies are expected to follow suit, as the tariffs, estimated at $175bn, have raised costs for businesses and consumers. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that refunds 'would have significant consequences for the US treasury'.
President Trump swiftly rebuked the ruling and announced new global tariffs under different statutes, increasing them from 10% to 15% within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have called for refunds to be directed to small businesses and urged larger firms to pass savings on to customers.
The Tax Foundation estimated that the tariffs cost US households $1,000 each in 2025, warning that such levies 'raise prices and reduce available goods, resulting in lower income and employment'.
