FedEx Sues Trump Administration Seeking Tariff Refunds

Forbes Business

by Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

FedEx has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to secure refunds for tariffs imposed under the so-called "Liberation Day" levies, marking the first major U.S. company to take legal action in response to the Supreme Court's ruling that these tariffs were unlawful. This move sets a significant precedent, as it challenges the legality of the tariffs and could pave the way for other businesses to seek refunds for similar costs. The case revolves around tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump during his tenure, which targeted Chinese goods in an effort to reduce trade deficits and pressure China on various issues. These "Liberation Day" tariffs were part of a broader trade war that began in 2018. FedEx argues that these levies were applied retroactively and without proper legal authority, causing financial harm to businesses like itself that import goods from China. The Supreme Court's decision invalidated the process used by the Trump administration to impose these tariffs, effectively ruling them as unlawful. This has left companies like FedEx in a position where they could potentially recover millions of dollars paid under protest during the period these tariffs were enforced. By suing for refunds, FedEx is not only seeking compensation for its own losses but also challenging the government's ability to retroactively apply such trade measures. This legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between businesses and the federal government over trade policy. For companies like FedEx, which rely heavily on international shipping and have been directly impacted by tariffs, the stakes are high. The outcome of this case could set a legal standard for how future tariffs are implemented and enforced, potentially influencing U.S. trade

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Originally published on Forbes Business on 2/24/2026