Trump's Tariffs Spark Uncertainty and Lawsuits

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose higher tariffs on countries that 'play games' with recent trade deals following a Supreme Court ruling that blocked many of the sweeping global levies imposed by Trump last year. The ruling led to uncertainty among countries regarding the status of deals negotiated in response to Trump's initial tariff measures. Trump responded by announcing a new 10% global tariff, later raised to 15%, using a different law. The White House insists that its approach to trade will not change, and Trump has deployed other laws to impose tariffs. The new tariffs are expected to stand alongside previously announced tariffs on specific items. The uncertainty has led to a fall in US shares, and Senate Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer has warned that Democrats will block any attempt to extend the duties.

The Supreme Court's ruling striking down President Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs has not alleviated concerns about the direction of trade policy among U.S. companies and trading partners. Despite the ruling, Trump announced new tariffs, first at 10% and then at 15%, citing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Experts say the uncertainty surrounding tariffs will continue, with some countries reconsidering trade deals and others potentially seeking refunds. The new tariffs are expected to have a modest economic impact, but the administration's commitment to tariffs raises questions about their effectiveness in achieving their intended goals.

FedEx has filed a lawsuit demanding a refund of U.S. tariffs that the Supreme Court ruled were unlawful. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, asks Customs and Border Protection to repay the tariffs. FedEx is expected to be one of many companies to sue for refunds, with analysts estimating that the tariffs in question raised as much as $175 billion for the U.S. government. The company often acts as an importer of record and passes along customs payments to recipients of goods. FedEx stated that it has taken necessary action to protect its rights as an importer of record to seek duty refunds. The Trump administration's lawyers had previously stated that the government would comply with an order to provide refunds if the tariffs were found to be unlawful, but Mr. Trump suggested that refunds would face a legal battle.

Prominent US Democrats are launching a populist campaign to refund tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, which were recently overturned by the Supreme Court. Democrats argue that the tariffs drove inflation and that households deserve refunds. Key figures such as Senators Sherrod Brown and Elizabeth Warren, and Governors Gavin Newsom and J.B. Pritzker, are demanding refunds, with some proposing specific amounts per household. The move is seen as an election-year strategy, particularly in battleground Senate races. However, Republicans, including Senator Bernie Moreno, are pushing back, arguing that tariffs protect the working class. The likelihood of refunds passing through Congress is considered slim.

US President Donald Trump's new 10% global tariffs took effect on February 24, 2026, as part of his effort to preserve his trade agenda after the Supreme Court struck down his original sweeping duties. The tariffs have caused global confusion, with major trading partners like the EU and India halting trade negotiations. Trump's team plans to launch new investigations to impose further tariffs, but the lack of clarity on the timeline for a potential 15% rate has created uncertainty. The public is increasingly disapproving of Trump's trade policies, with 64% of Americans disapproving of his handling of tariffs.