Industry reaction to US Supreme Court ruling on Trump's global tariffs

• The Supreme Court ruled Trump's method of imposing tariffs illegal, not tariffs themselves, requiring clear definitive reasons for future implementation
• Industry leaders across apparel, retail, wine & spirits, and baby products emphasized the need for predictable, rule-of-law compliant trade policy to support business and investment decisions
• A major challenge ahead involves processing refunds through intermediaries like DHL and FedEx who paid tariffs on behalf of customers, potentially leading to litigation and tension

Summary: US Supreme Court Ruling on Trump Global Tariffs

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump's emergency tariffs on February 20, 2026, providing relief to businesses while raising questions about the refund process and future trade policy certainty.

Key Reactions:

Industry Relief: Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, called for "predictable and dependable trade policy" to ease the tariff burden on manufacturers and American families. Francis Creighton of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America stated the decision "restores clarity" for an industry dependent on international partnerships.

Legal Clarity: Michael Wieder, co-founder of baby products company Lalo, noted the ruling doesn't make tariffs illegal but declares this specific method of imposing them illegal, requiring "a clear definitive reason."

Ongoing Uncertainty: Steve Orava from King & Spalding highlighted that businesses face "additional uncertainty" in the short term, emphasizing that certainty in tariff levels is crucial for business and investment decisions regardless of political stance.

Refund Complications: Andrew Wilson of the International Chamber of Commerce warned of complexities ahead, particularly regarding intermediaries like DHL and FedEx who paid tariffs on behalf of customers. He anticipates "quite a lot of uncertainties" and possible litigation.

Processing Expectations: Dan Anthony of We Pay The Tariffs coalition, representing 800+ small businesses, stated the refund process is technically straightforward for the government, as "every shipment has a code" identifying the specific tariffs paid.

Market Implications:

The ruling opens opportunities for closer industry-government engagement on trade policy but offers little immediate relief for the global economy, according to analysts. Businesses now await clarification on refund procedures and future tariff implementation methods.