Attorney General Charity Clark announced on Mar. 18 that she joined a coalition of 17 other attorneys general in calling on Congress to pass legislation requiring swift refunds for businesses and consumers affected by tariffs imposed under the Trump administration. The announcement follows a Feb. 20 Supreme Court decision that ruled in favor of Clark and a group of states, striking down the tariffs as unconstitutional.
The issue is significant because approximately $166 billion in unlawful tariffs were collected from businesses and individuals nationwide, leading to higher prices that especially impacted low-income consumers. The coalition is seeking new laws to ensure importers are reimbursed with interest for these charges and encourage businesses that passed costs onto customers to return those funds.
“The Supreme Court has spoken and the massive tariffs President Trump forced countless American businesses and individuals to pay were unconstitutional,” said Attorney General Clark. “The Administration has yet to explain how it intends to make things right, so we are asking Congress to step in and refund these unlawful taxes.”
In April 2025, President Trump enacted widespread tariffs using authority claimed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Attorney General Clark, along with other attorneys general, filed suit arguing IEEPA did not grant such powers for imposing tariffs. After their victory at the Supreme Court in February 2026, attention turned toward reimbursement procedures. While administration officials had previously indicated refunds would be necessary if the court ruled against them, no clear plan has been provided.
According to Clark’s office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection holds data on every illegal tariff paid but currently limits refunds through a direct deposit platform used by only six percent of importers. Importers may face multiple refund processes depending on shipment status—a system critics say could disadvantage small businesses lacking resources or legal support.
Clark’s coalition also calls for measures ensuring that companies which increased prices due to tariff costs pass any refunded amounts back down the supply chain—to consumers who bore much of the burden—and urges Congress to consider further steps addressing impacts on financially vulnerable populations.
