Reuters has learned about the threat of the US returning over $175 billion from duties under the decision of the Armed Forces.

The United States may be required to return more than $175 billion collected from emergency customs duties if the American Supreme Court (SC) rules on the illegality of their introduction by the head of the White House, Donald Trump. This was reported on February 20 by the Reuters news agency, citing data from economists.

It is noted that the US Armed Forces may decide on the legality of duties based on the Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as early as Friday, February 20. If they are lifted, importers are expected to rush to seek a refund of last year's import duties.

"Total revenue has been estimated at $179 billion according to the IEEPA since Trump began imposing tariffs under this law in February 2025," said Lyle Boller, senior economist at Penn—Wharton Budget Model (PWBM).

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Reuters in January that the Treasury Department would easily be able to cover any costs of customs duties, although he was confident that the Supreme Court would uphold the duties imposed under the IEEPA.

"The reimbursement of $175 billion will exceed the total expenditures of the Ministry of Transport for the 2025 fiscal year — $127.6 billion — and the Ministry of Justice — $44.9 billion," the authors of the article noted.

War to war: The White House is suing for the right to impose trade duties

The decision to block the "Trump tariffs" lasted only one day, but the fight has only just begun.

On August 30, 2025, Reuters learned that the American Court of Appeals had declared the imposition of most of Trump's duties illegal. At that time, their effect was maintained only until October 14 so that the presidential administration could appeal.

The Washington Post reported on November 5, 2025, that representatives of the US Armed Forces were skeptical about the legality of the grounds for the imposition of customs duties by the Trump administration, despite his words about the need for tariffs to strengthen the country.

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