Major United States (US) companies are moving to recover billions of dollars in tariffs after a Supreme Court ruling struck down a key part of President Trump’s trade policy.
The dispute follows the court’s February 20, 2026, decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump.
In a 6-3 ruling, the justices held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which the administration used to impose global tariffs in 2025 without congressional approval, did not give the President authority to tax imports.
Business groups estimate that between $133 billion and $175 billion in duties were collected under the policy. Following the ruling, companies are now seeking refunds, describing the tariffs as unlawfully imposed.
Tribune Online reports that FedEx, an American multinational delivery service corporation, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade on Monday, seeking a “full refund” of all IEEPA duties it paid. In a statement, the company said it had taken “necessary action to protect the company’s rights as an importer of record.”
FedEx had previously warned investors that the tariffs would reduce its 2025 profits by about $1 billion.
Likewise, Costco, another American multinational corporation, had already filed a similar lawsuit in late 2025, anticipating the possibility that the courts could invalidate the tariffs.
Other companies identified in court filings include Revlon, Bumble Bee Foods and Learning Resources, the toy manufacturer that brought the original case before the Supreme Court.
Trump calls ruling “a disgrace”
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump criticised the ruling during a breakfast meeting with governors at the White House, calling it a “disgrace” and describing it as a “stinging loss” for American workers.
In social media posts, he said some of the justices should be “absolutely ashamed” and described them as “disloyal to our Constitution.” He praised the dissent by Justice Brett Kavanaugh as “genius,” while calling the majority opinion “ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American.”
Despite the decision, the President said his broader trade stance remains unchanged. “The policy hasn’t changed,” he said. “The legal tools that implement that may change, but the policy hasn’t changed.”
Tribune Online reports that he also announced a new approach, invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a temporary 15% global tariff starting February 24.
Uncertainty over refunds
While the Supreme Court invalidated the tariffs, it did not spell out how previously collected duties should be returned. That has left businesses and the federal government facing further legal battles.
Industry groups including the National Retail Federation and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are urging the Treasury Department to create a clear refund process.
Neil Bradley, Chief Policy Officer of the Chamber, said prompt repayments are “meaningful for more than 200,000 small business importers” that had to cut back hiring or use savings to cover the tariffs.