Trump Tariff Refund Program Officially Launched, Totaling Over $5.2 Trillion

(Central News Agency Washington, April 20, Combined News) The U.S. Trump administration today launched an online tool to refund over $166 billion (approximately NT$5.2 trillion) in tariff revenue. The Federal Supreme Court had ruled these tariffs illegal in February of this year.

According to AFP, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated today that the first phase of the refund system has been activated, allowing importers and customs brokers to begin submitting applications to reclaim paid tariffs.

During March, CBP estimated that over 330,000 importers would be eligible to apply for refunds of tariffs or deposits on more than 53 million shipments.

CBP indicated that upon initial system launch, approximately $127 billion in tariff payments qualified for electronic refunds.

The Federal Supreme Court had previously ruled that tariffs imposed by Trump under the "International Emergency Economic Powers Act" on almost all U.S. trading partners, with varying rates, were illegal.

However, his additional tariffs on specific industries such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles are temporarily unaffected.

Since the Supreme Court's ruling, thousands of companies have filed lawsuits with the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking tariff refunds. Whether consumers will actually receive refunds depends on whether companies are willing to share the returned amounts with them.

Currently, FedEx, for example, stated that it will issue tariff refunds to "shippers and consumers who originally paid these fees."

CBP recently announced that approved refund applications are typically processed within 60 to 90 days. (Compiled by: Cai Jiamin) 1150421

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