Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy discuss the Republican midterm agenda after President Donald Trump’s ‘record-breaking’ State of the Union address on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants the Trump administration to return about $13.5 billion in tax payments to New Yorkers after the Supreme Court struck down a key legal basis for President Donald Trump’s import tax.
Citing estimates from the Yale Budget Lab, Hochul said the average New York household has paid about $1,751 in extra costs since tariffs were enacted last year — money he says should now be returned.
“These unreasonable and illegal fees were a tax on New York consumers, small businesses and farmers — that’s why I want a full refund,” Hochul said Tuesday. “I will never stop fighting for New Yorkers, and that means staying focused on putting more money back in your pockets — not ripping them off.”
In a 6-3 decision issued on Feb. 20, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs was illegal, finding that it “does not authorize the President to impose taxes.”
ARE RETURNS ISSUED AFTER THE COURT RULES ON THE TRUMP PLANS?
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called for the tax rollback after the Supreme Court struck down parts of former President Donald Trump’s trade policy. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, did not address whether a refund should be issued.
Hochul joins other Democratic governors, including Gov. Gavin Newsom of California and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, in calling for tax refunds following the ruling.
Several companies have also moved to recoup costs. FedEx, a global transportation and logistics company, sued the administration seeking a full rollback of the jobs cut under Trump’s order. The company said it incurred additional costs to expedite the shipment and is seeking a refund with interest, as well as compensation for financial damages.
The White House did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FEDEX WANTS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR FULL TARIFF REFUNDS AFTER SUPREME COURT RULING ON IEEPA
President Donald Trump said he would look at other legal options to keep the tax in place following the Supreme Court’s decision. (Nathan Howard / Getty Images / Getty Images)
Trump declined to say during a news conference last week whether the administration would return the money.
“I think it should be sentenced for the next two years. So they wrote this terrible decision that is flawed, completely flawed. It’s almost like it wasn’t written by smart people. And what they do, they don’t talk about that,” said Trump.
After the decision, Trump announced a 10% global tariff and said he would look at other legal options to keep it in place. Later he raised the tax to 15%.
Hochul also touted a $30 million tax proposal he introduced last month aimed at helping New York farmers and small businesses hit by higher costs.
He said more than 80% of imported agrochemical products and 70% of imported farm equipment are taxed at least 10%, making it difficult for farmers to avoid high prices due to the lack of other suppliers.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
The US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose broad tariffs. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Farmers across the region are facing rising costs for fertilizers and equipment, with some reported costs rising up to $20,000 a year, said Hochul. Milk exports fell by 7%, he added.
Despite the Court’s decision, Hochul said “the damage has already been done” to many farmers.
FOX Business’ Eric Revell and Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
