Following $130-billion tariff refund order, bipartisan group renews calls for consistent trade policies

Order to government to issue refunds following SCOTUS ruling highlights the need for smart and consistent trade policy 

LANSING, Michigan — A federal court ordered the government to begin issuing $130 billion in tariff refunds, highlighting the need for Congress to enact smart, consistent trade policy. The court order follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision Feb. 20 that struck down some U.S. tariff policy as unconstitutional.

The court ruling demonstrates the chaos and confusion current trade policies have infused into the economy and the clear need for Congress to consider smart and consistent trade policies that provide stability and lower prices. 

“We hear all the time from manufacturers, farmers and families that they just want stable and predictable trade policies will allow them to make important decisions and plan for the future,” said John Sellek, a spokesman for the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance. “Members of our growing coalition want to see Congress step up to enact smart and consistent trade and tariff policies.”

“Michigan businesses and manufacturers just want a level playing field and they want to know what to expect so that they can grow their companies and create jobs,” said Mark Fisk, a spokesman for MISTA. “This on-again-off-again trade policy creates confusion and chaos, leading to an endless cycle of questions including this most recent one on whether tariffs already paid should be refunded.”