Federal Circuit rejects Trump administration bid to delay tariff refunds
Mar 3rd 2026
A federal appeals court refused the Justice Department's request to delay processing refunds after the Supreme Court struck down broad tariffs, sending the case to a lower court to determine how refunds should proceed.
- Federal Circuit refused the Justice Department request to pause the refund process and sent the matter to the U.S. Court of International Trade.
- The Trump administration had sought a 90-day hold after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs.
- The Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 20 that the tariffs were illegal but did not address how refunds should be handled.
- The government had collected more than $130 billion from the tariffs by mid-December and refunds could total about $175 billion according to the Penn Wharton Budget Model.
- The Court of International Trade will set the procedures for refunds and trade lawyers expect it to press the government for a quick compliance plan.