Businesses Face Prolonged Court Battles Over Outlawed Trump Tariffs

Consumers hoping for refunds are unlikely to be compensated. With Donald Trump maintaining an unyielding position on tariffs, US businesses are bracing for years of court battles.

Basic Fun, a Florida-based toy maker behind brands such as Lincoln Logs and Tonka Trucks, last week joined several other businesses in a lawsuit seeking to recover tariffs paid to the government. (Photo: Tonka Facebook)

Basic Fun, a Florida-based toy maker behind brands such as Lincoln Logs and Tonka Trucks, last week joined several other businesses in a lawsuit seeking to recover tariffs paid to the government, Mae Anderson reported for the Associated Press (AP).

While CEO Jay Foreman is concerned about any new tariffs Trump may impose, he does not believe they will directly affect toys.

However, he said, “I do worry about some type of perpetual fight over this, at least for the next three years.”

The new 10% tariff Trump announced Friday immediately raised questions for Daniel Posner, owner of Grapes The Wine Co. in White Plains, New York.

Because wine shipments take about two weeks to cross the Atlantic, he is uncertain whether a shipment arriving Monday will be affected. “We’re reactive to what’s become a very unstable situation,” Posner said.

Ron Kurnik, who owns Superior Coffee Roasting Co. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, near the Canadian border, has also felt the impact. In addition to US tariffs, Kurnik faced retaliatory tariffs from Canada for much of last year when exporting coffee.

“It’s like a nightmare we just want to wake up from,” Kurnik said. His company has raised prices by 6% twice since the tariffs took effect. Although he welcomes the US Supreme Court ruling, he does not expect to receive a refund, the Press Association reported.