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Bessent Defers $134 Billion Tariff Refund Decision to Lower Court

The Treasury chief signaled a pivot to other tariff statutes following the Supreme Court’s narrow IEEPA ruling.

Overview

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said refunds tied to the unlawful emergency tariffs will be determined by a lower court after the Supreme Court remanded the case without addressing repayments.
  • Pressed on CNN, Bessent declined to commit to returning the duties and said the court process could take weeks or months.
  • Dana Bash cited a Justice Department filing that said the government would issue refunds to plaintiffs if tariffs imposed during appeals were ultimately ruled unlawful.
  • Bessent said the administration will rely on other authorities, including Sections 232, 301, and 122, and he said projected 2026 tariff revenue remains unchanged.
  • Small business owners told CNN they have borne tariff costs, while Bash noted Bessent previously called potential refunds corporate welfare and he argued pass-through effects remain unclear.