Article Summary –
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is working to assist Michigan businesses in obtaining refunds for tariffs paid under President Trump’s 2025 national emergency declaration, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional in February. She issued an executive directive for state agencies to inform businesses about the federal refund process and report on the tariffs’ impact on Michigan industries and consumers. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the U.S. Court of International Trade mandated the federal government to issue refunds, while Whitmer underscored how these tariffs have increased costs for Michigan households and hindered economic growth in the state.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is exploring options to assist Michigan businesses in retrieving tariff refunds paid under President Donald Trump’s 2025 emergency declaration. The U.S. Supreme Court declared these tariffs unconstitutional in February.
On April 2, Whitmer signed an executive directive directing state departments to utilize resources to inform businesses about the federal refund process. She also mandated state agencies to report within 30 days on the tariffs’ impact on Michigan industries and consumers.
“These tariffs have increased costs, burdening Michiganders,” Whitmer stated. “The Supreme Court’s ruling allows us to reclaim funds. This directive will expose the impact of these tariffs and aid Michigan businesses in obtaining refunds.”
The Supreme Court’s decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump on Feb. 20 concluded Trump overstepped his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, leading to unconstitutional tariffs. Consequently, the U.S. Court of International Trade mandated federal refunds. Approximately 330,000 importers have paid $166 billion in tariffs, reported Brandon Lord, executive director of trade programs in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade, in a March 6 court filing.
Customs and Border Protection has finalized “primary development” of an electronic refund system, according to an April 14 report by The Hill. Lord indicated in a March 31 filing that refunds could take up to 45 days to process once the system is operational.
On the same day the Supreme Court overturned the tariffs, Trump enacted a new 10% global tariff under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 122 allows the president to impose tariffs up to 15%, for 150 days, to address “serious U.S. balance-of-payments deficits” or to “prevent dollar depreciation in foreign markets.”
Two dozen states filed a lawsuit on March 5 contesting these new tariffs, claiming Trump exceeded his authority again.
In her directive, Whitmer emphasized that tariffs and retaliatory measures by trade partners have raised costs for Michigan residents on items like cars and appliances. While some companies absorbed these costs, others passed them to consumers through “higher prices, reduced investment, or slower hiring.”
“U.S. consumers and businesses have borne most of these tariff costs,” the directive states. “In a state reliant on manufacturing and agriculture, these price hikes strained family budgets and jeopardized job stability. This resulted in slower growth in tariff-exposed sectors and increased financial strain on Michigan families already dealing with rising living costs.”
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