U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington D.C. on Apr. 2, 2025. Reuters-Yonhap
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will "remember" companies that do not seek refunds for payments they made on his tariffs that were deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, implying they would somehow benefit by abstaining from the U.S. government's new refund portal.
A day after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency began accepting electronic refund applications from importers, Trump told CNBC he was pleased to hear about media reports that Apple, Amazon and some other large companies have not yet sought refunds.
"It's brilliant if they don't do that," Trump said in a phone conversation with CNBC anchors that was aired live.
"If they don't do that, I'll remember them. I will tell you that, because I'm looking to make this country strong," the Republican president said.
At issue is about $166 billion collected by the government from U.S. importers in tariffs that Trump had imposed last year under a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act intended for use during times of national emergency. The Supreme Court struck down those tariffs in February, finding Trump had exceeded his authority.
Trump, who has characterized the payment of tariffs by U.S. importers as patriotic, on Tuesday appeared to characterize American companies that are pursuing refunds as the "enemy."
"In many cases, the enemy — the enemy — is getting this money," Trump said, apparently referring to those companies.
"The people that have hated the United States, we're giving them checks for billions of dollars. It's so sad to see," Trump added, without naming specific companies or countries of origin for the imported products.
Trump said the Supreme Court "could have helped us" by upholding his sweeping global tariffs.
Source: Korea Times News
