Supreme Court Trump tariff decision: Retail industry reacts

The retail industry on Friday said the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down some of President Donald Trump’s global tariffs would usher in more predictability and flexibility for innovation, freeing up businesses from the burden of higher import costs.

“The Supreme Court’s announcement today regarding tariffs provides much-needed certainty for U.S. businesses and manufacturers, enabling global supply chains to operate without ambiguity,” the National Retail Federation said in a statement following the ruling. “Clear and consistent trade policy is essential for economic growth, creating jobs and opportunities for American families.”

The nation’s highest court determined that Trump’s broad tariff rates on U.S. trade partners enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, overstepped the president’s authority. The Supreme Court is sending the case back to the lower court with instructions to dismiss it for lack of jurisdiction.

The reversal raises questions about if, when and how the government may refund tariffs that have already been paid, and whether Trump will pursue other kinds of duties that hit retailers and their imports.

“We urge the lower court to ensure a seamless process to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers,” the NRF said in its statement. “The refunds will serve as an economic boost and allow companies to reinvest in their operations, their employees and their customers.”

As it awaited the Supreme Court decision, warehouse club giant Costco sued the Trump administration in December to get a full refund of the tariffs it had paid and to block import duties from continuing.

In the lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, Costco said it risked losing money it has already paid even if the Supreme Court ruled against the tariffs.

Costco did not immediately respond to request for comment about the Supreme Court decision and what it means for the retailer’s lawsuit.

The NRF represents a number of U.S. retailers, from big-box retailers such as Walmart to smaller brands and manufacturers. Clothing, footwear and discretionary items were among the imports most vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs, which imposed steep rates on countries such as China and Vietnam, where the retail industry maintains large portions of its supply chain.

Footwear has been one the most heavily impacted industries, since nearly 100% of all footwear sold in the U.S. is imported, according to Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, the industry’s trade group.

Even before Trump’s first term, footwear manufacturers were moving some sourcing out of China as its labor force shrank, Matt Priest, CEO of the FDRA, said. Yet he said it would be unrealistic to return production to the U.S., and moving it to another part of Asia can be difficult.

In a statement on Friday, Priest said the decision marked an “important step toward creating a more predictable and competitive environment for American businesses and consumers.”

“By removing these widespread tariffs, the footwear industry can redirect billions of dollars toward innovation, job creation, and affordability for families across the country,” Priest said. “This ruling provides relief at a time when cost pressures have been significant, and it opens the door for continued collaboration between industry leaders and policymakers to ensure trade policy reflects today’s global marketplace.”

The trade group said it would continue to work with the Trump administration and Congress to create a trade framework that would benefit consumers, retailers and manufacturers.

Other business industry groups also cheered the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday. Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said the ruling was “welcome news” for businesses and consumers.

“Over the past year, the Chamber has been working with small and midsize businesses around the country that have seen significant cost increases and supply chain disruptions as a result of these tariffs,” Bradley said in a statement. “Swift refunds of the impermissible tariffs will be meaningful for the more than 200,000 small business importers in this country and will help support stronger economic growth this year.”