Lawmakers Are Worried Small Businesses Will Get Left Behind in Trump’s Tariff Refund System

Small businesses must navigate the federal tariff refund system to get the money they paid in emergency tariffs back.

Jeanne Shaheen, Ed Markey

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Ed Markey are both behind a bill to deliver automatic tariff refunds to businesses. Andrew Harnik/AP

Small businesses that paid President Donald Trump’s tariffs have been largely left to fend for themselves as they navigate the administration’s refund system.

In Washington, the lawmakers calling for small businesses to be first in line to receive their share of the $166 billion paid in tariffs say that, for the most part, their hands are tied.

“I’m fighting for that to happen, but most of it’s going to end up playing out in court, but it really matters to our small businesses in particular,” Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin said.