FedEx Sues for Refund of Trump Tariffs Rejected by Supreme Court

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by Peter Eavis

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

FedEx has filed a lawsuit seeking refunds of U.S. tariffs that were recently ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court. The company, which did not specify the amount it is pursuing, is expected to be one of many businesses demanding compensation for what they claim are illegal levies. Analysts estimate that these tariffs, imposed by former President Trump and later rejected by the court, generated up to $175 billion in revenue for the U.S. government. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, targeting the Customs and Border Protection agency, which is responsible for collecting tariffs. FedEx typically acts as an importer of record, making customs payments on behalf of its clients and passing those costs along to recipients. The company stated that it is taking necessary action to protect its rights as an importer by seeking duty refunds. The Trump administration had previously indicated its willingness to comply with refund orders if the tariffs were deemed unlawful, but President Trump suggested last week that such refunds would face legal challenges. FedEx’s move is part of a broader trend, as dozens of companies had already filed lawsuits against the emergency tariffs before the Supreme Court’s ruling. This case highlights the significant financial stakes for both businesses and the government. While large corporations like FedEx are likely to have established procedures for recovering payments from customers, smaller businesses may struggle without such systems in place. The outcome of these legal battles could set a precedent for how governments handle trade policy and refunds in the future, making this an important issue for readers interested in economic and legal developments. In summary, FedEx’s lawsuit is just one example of the growing wave of legal challenges to the Trump-era tariffs. The case not only underscores the potential financial impact on businesses but also raises questions about government accountability and compliance with court rulings. As more companies follow suit, this could lead to significant changes in how trade policies are enforced and reviewed in the future.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/24/2026