After the Supreme Court's Decision .. FedEx Demands the Return of Billions in Tariff Fees
The global shipping company FedEx has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. International Trade Court seeking the refund of emergency tariff fees imposed by President Donald Trump, a move that could open the floodgates for a wave of lawsuits to recover billions of dollars.
The legal action came days after a historic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled by a majority of six justices to three that those tariffs were illegal, stating that Trump overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act—a law designated for sanctions—to impose tariffs on imported goods.
* Billions of Dollars at Stake
Economists expect that U.S. tariff revenues, which exceeded $175 billion, will face widespread refund claims.
Trade dispute lawyers anticipate that U.S. courts will see a wave of lawsuits from companies harmed by those tariffs seeking to recover what they paid.
Despite the Supreme Court's ruling, the matter remains complex, as a lower court must determine the refund mechanism, which could prolong the legal battle.
* What is FedEx Demanding?
In the lawsuit, FedEx demanded "full reimbursement from the defendants for all tariff fees they paid to the United States under the law."
The company, based in Memphis, had acted as a registered importer of goods subject to those tariffs, but it did not disclose the total amount it seeks to recover.
* Who are the Defendants?
The lawsuit names the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, its commissioner Rodney Scott, and the United States as defendants in the case.
So far, there has been no comment from the administration or the White House regarding the lawsuit.
* A New Escalation in the Tariff Issue
The case comes amid renewed political escalation, as Trump has renewed his attack on the Supreme Court and pledged to impose new tariffs, adding political and economic dimensions to a legal battle that could redefine the boundaries of executive authority in international trade.
While economic circles await the outcome of the upcoming judicial phase, FedEx's lawsuit appears to be the beginning of a new chapter in a dispute that could cost the U.S. Treasury billions of dollars.
