Small business owners doubt they’ll see refunds after supreme court invalidates Trump’s tariffs

Ruling could free $175bn, but legal hurdles and higher costs have left businesses questioning if claims are even worth it

The US supreme court recently struck down Donald Trump’s tariffs, opening the door to up to $175bn in refunds for businesses that paid the import taxes. However, the process for claiming that money is by no means certain. Trump himself said that the issue could be tied up in courts “for the next five years”.

Across the country, small businesses have struggled to navigate the fallout from Trump’s global tariff wars. The Guardian asked small business owners in the US how their lives and livelihoods have been affected.