Trade Judge Approves Class Action Over Trump Tariff Refunds

A U.S. trade judge has approved class-action status for the legal fight over refunds of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs, siding with importers who say the process will make it easier for more companies to recover their money.

Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade issued the order on Oct. 8. It certifies a group lawsuit representing all importers that have not already submitted claims for payment.

Small Businesses Could Benefit as Court Opens Tariff Refunds to Wider Group

The ruling follows the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year declaring the tariffs unlawful. Since then, U.S. customs authorities have fully processed almost $130 billion in refunds.

The Trump administration had argued that importers with certain types of claims must file their own individual lawsuits. That pushed importers already seeking refunds to try to widen the existing litigation to cover a broader group of companies.

Those importers argued that a class action would especially help small businesses, which often lack the resources to bring their own cases. The case is Freestyle World Inc. v. Customs and Border Protection, 26-cv-1088, before the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York.