US Importers Begin Seeking Refunds for Nullified Trump Tariffs A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump without constitutional authority is set to launch on Monday, allowing importers and their brokers to begin claiming reimbursements for the taxes the U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled invalid. The process, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will open an online portal at 8 a.m. for companies to submit declarations detailing the goods on which they paid billions in import taxes. If approved, refunds could take 60-90 days to process, though the government plans to handle claims in phases, prioritizing more recent tariff payments. The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision on February 20 declared that Trump overstepped his authority by imposing new import tax rates in April 2020, citing the U.S. trade deficit as a national emergency. The ruling invalidated tariffs on products from nearly every country, though the court did not explicitly address refund mechanisms. However, a judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled last month that companies subjected to the IEEPA tariffs were entitled to refunds, setting the stage for the current system. CBP estimates that over 330,000 importers paid a total of $166 billion in tariffs on more than 53 million shipments. However, not all cases qualify for the initial phase of refunds, which applies only to tariffs estimated but not finalized or within 80 days of a final accounting. To participate, importers must register for CBP’s electronic payment system, with 56,497 businesses already enrolled as of April 14, eligible for refunds totaling $127 billion, including interest. Accuracy is critical for successful claims.#donald_trump #us_supreme_court #us_customs_and_border_protection #us_court_of_international_trade #ice_miller
Asia-Pacific Economies Face Growing Economic Risks Amid US-Iran Conflict Asia-Pacific economies have entered 2026 on fragile footing, with the escalating US-Iran conflict adding significant uncertainty to growth prospects for major countries like China, India, and others in the region, according to Moody’s Analytics. The report highlights how the Middle East conflict has intensified existing economic challenges, compounding risks to GDP growth and complicating the outlook for the region. The global economy has endured a series of disruptions since the start of the decade, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Trump administration’s trade policies. Now, the Middle East conflict has introduced another layer of instability, particularly for economies reliant on energy imports. The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and damage to Gulf energy infrastructure have driven oil prices past $100 per barrel, fueling inflation concerns and straining supply chains. Moody’s Analytics warns that the Middle East conflict has created a “troublesome mix of external threats” for Asia-Pacific economies. The report identifies three key risks: the ongoing conflict, Trump-era tariff policies, and the potential slowdown of the AI-driven economic boom. The conflict’s impact is particularly pronounced for countries dependent on imported energy, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, which maintain strategic oil reserves to buffer against price shocks. However, India and Southeast Asian nations, which have smaller reserves, rely more on price caps and subsidies to protect consumers from volatility. The report notes that while exports have remained strong due to front-loaded shipments ahead of US tariff hikes, domestic demand remains weak across much of the region.#strait_of_hormuz #us_supreme_court #reserve_bank_of_india #taiwan #moody_s_analytics
Immigration News Green Card: Democrats Push TPS Pathway as SIJS Youth Face Detention Pressure Democrats are advancing legislation to create a permanent-residency pathway for long-term Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, while enforcement actions have led to the detention and deportation of young immigrants granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) protections. The conflicting policies highlight the growing tension between expanding legal pathways and strict immigration enforcement. A Democratic lawmaker, Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida, introduced the Respect for Essential Workers Act, which aims to protect TPS holders and allow eligible workers to apply for green cards after a set period following the law’s enactment. TPS is a humanitarian designation for nationals of countries experiencing conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. It permits individuals to live and work in the U.S. temporarily but does not automatically grant citizenship. The proposed bill would open an application process for TPS holders, prevent deportation of those classified as essential workers, and enable qualifying individuals to pursue green cards. The policy debate occurs amid efforts to end TPS for nationals of several countries, including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Myanmar, Ethiopia, and Yemen. These terminations affect tens of thousands of migrants, with deadlines ranging from mid-2025 to 2026 for losing TPS protections and work authorization. Legal challenges have delayed or temporarily blocked some terminations. On March 16, the U.S.#us_supreme_court #department_of_homeland_security #representative_sheila_cherfilusmccormick #special_immigrant_juvenile_status #us_citizenship_and_immigration_services
Oldest Active Federal Judge Seeks Supreme Court to Lift Suspension A 98-year-old federal judge, who holds the distinction of being the oldest active judge in the U.S. judiciary, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn her suspension from hearing new cases. Judge Pauline Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is seeking to have the suspension lifted, arguing that the action violates her constitutional rights and undermines judicial independence. Newman, who will turn 99 in June, was suspended in 2023 by the Federal Circuit’s judicial council after refusing to undergo medical evaluations to assess claims of memory loss and confusion. The suspension effectively barred her from presiding over new cases, a move she contends is akin to an impeachment process reserved for Congress. In her petition, Newman asserts that the suspension threatens the principle of judicial independence and may infringe upon the separation of powers between branches of government. Her legal challenge centers on the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act, which grants judicial councils authority to investigate allegations of disability against federal judges. Newman argues that the act’s provisions are unconstitutional, as they enable councils to act as a form of impeachment without due process. She claims the law violates her right to a fair legal proceeding and undermines the independence of the judiciary. In August 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to review the bulk of Newman’s challenge to her suspension. The court’s decision, reported by the ABA Journal, left her petition unresolved, prompting her to seek higher judicial review.#us_supreme_court #judicial_conduct_and_disability_act #judge_pauline_newman #aba_journal #law360
Costco Signals Price Cuts If Tariff Refunds Materialize Costco Wholesale, a major U.S. retailer, has indicated it may reduce prices if it receives refunds from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate President Donald Trump’s emergency tariffs. The company, which joined over 1,000 businesses in suing the government over the legality of the tariffs, emphasized its commitment to lowering costs for customers if refunds become available. The Supreme Court’s ruling in late 2025 overturned Trump’s tariffs, which had been imposed under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Costco’s CEO, Ron Vachris, stated during a post-earnings call that it remains uncertain whether companies will receive refunds for the tariffs paid in 2025. However, he noted that Costco would prioritize passing savings to customers if refunds are processed. The company has already adjusted prices on items like textiles, bedding, and cookware following the reduction of tariffs on countries such as China. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the emergency duties, Trump’s continued enforcement of temporary import levies has added pressure on consumer companies navigating a volatile trade environment and rising costs. Sales at Costco have remained stable as shoppers increasingly seek value amid high living expenses, including rent and fuel costs. Competitors like Walmart and Costco are attracting customers across income levels by offering discounted in-house brands, such as Costco’s Kirkland Signature line. Costco’s quarterly same-store sales, excluding gas, rose 6.7% in the second quarter, surpassing analysts’ expectations of a 5.88% increase. Net income for the period grew nearly 14% to $2.04 billion.#donald_trump #costco_wholesale #us_supreme_court #ron_vachris #kirkland_signature
