AG Brown Urges Congress for Unlawful Tariff Refunds

AG: Maryland News

Published March 18th, 2026

Detected March 22nd, 2026

Summary

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined 11 other state AGs urging Congress to pass legislation requiring refunds for unlawful tariffs imposed under IEEPA. The Supreme Court struck down these tariffs, which cost businesses and consumers approximately $166 billion.

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What changed

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, along with a coalition of 11 other state attorneys general, has formally requested that Congress pass legislation to ensure refunds for approximately $166 billion in unlawful tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs, which were struck down by the Supreme Court on February 20, 2026, disproportionately impacted low-income consumers by increasing prices. The coalition is advocating for a legislative solution to mandate swift and equitable reimbursement for importers, including interest, and to compel businesses that passed tariff costs to consumers to issue reimbursements.

The attorneys general are urging Congress to create a uniform and expedited process for importers to receive refunds, citing concerns that an administration-controlled application or litigation-based system would lead to delays and disadvantage small businesses. Furthermore, they are calling for accountability from businesses that passed on tariff costs, requesting that these entities reimburse consumers who ultimately bore the financial burden. The letter also suggests exploring additional measures to address the economic strain on vulnerable populations caused by the unlawful tariff policy.

What to do next

Monitor Congressional developments regarding potential legislation for tariff refunds.
Assess internal processes for potential claims or reimbursements related to past tariff payments.
Prepare to implement any new refund or reimbursement requirements if legislation is enacted.

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Brown Calls on Congress to Pass Legislation Requiring Tariff Refunds

Published: 3/18/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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BALTIMORE, MD – **** Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 11 other attorneys general in urging Congress to pass legislation that would require the government to provide swift refunds for extra costs paid by businesses and consumers due to President Trump’s unlawful tariffs.

On February 20, the Supreme Court struck down tariffs the Trump administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Businesses and individuals nationwide have been charged approximately $166 billion in unlawful IEEPA tariffs, which resulted in higher prices that disproportionately strained low-income consumers’ finances. Attorney General Brown and the coalition are calling on Congress to pass new legislation that would require the Trump administration to reimburse importers for these unlawful tariff charges with interest and direct businesses that passed along direct tariff costs to consumers to reimburse their customers who ultimately bore the financial burden.

In April 2025, President Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on countries across the globe by claiming he had the authority to do so under IEEPA. On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs. While the Supreme Court did not make a decision regarding tariff reimbursements, the Administration had repeatedly committed in court filings that they would need to refund tariff costs with interest if the IEEPA tariffs were ruled unlawful.

In a letter to House and Senate leadership, Attorney General Brown and the coalition are urging Congress to pass legislation requiring the Administration to issue automatic tariff refunds as soon as possible. While the Administration has indicated that importers would need to apply or sue for refunds, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a database of every unlawful IEEPA tariff paid by American direct importers. The CBP has stated that refunds will only be available via a new direct deposit platform for which only six percent of importers are currently registered. The Administration has also suggested that importers may need to navigate multiple refund processes depending on their shipment’s status. A refund process controlled by the Administration would likely face delays and disadvantage small businesses and individuals that do not have the resources to navigate a complicated application process or sue for refunds. Attorney General Brown and the coalition are pushing for new legislation that could create an equitable, uniform, and fast process for all affected importers to be reimbursed for their tariff costs.

In addition, Attorney General Brown and the coalition urge Congress to hold accountable the businesses that directly passed on tariff costs to consumers and other businesses. Importers that raised prices due to tariff costs should pass the benefit of the refunds they receive to those who ultimately bore the financial burden of the Administration’s illegal tariffs. Congress should also consider other ways to address the economic burden that the most financially vulnerable had to bear because of the Administration’s unlawful policy. As the attorneys general explain, prices of cheaper products rose faster than prices of more expensive goods as a result of the tariffs, disproportionately impacting low-income consumers.

In sending this letter, Attorney General Brown joined the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, and Virginia.