Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Trump Tariff Trial: $150B Refund Uncertainty
There's a big trial happening about tariffs that were put in place during Trump's time as president.
These tariffs are like extra taxes that some companies had to pay.
Now, there's a chance these companies might get some of that money back, which could add up to $150 billion.
But it's not clear if or when this will happen.
Some companies, like Kids2, which makes toys, have already tried to sell their claims for refunds to big investors called hedge funds, but they're not getting much money back.
For example, Kids2 got only 23 cents back for every dollar they paid in tariffs, and sometimes even less.
Another company, Basic Fun!, thinks they might not get back the $6 million they paid.
So, even if the companies win the trial, it might take a long time to get their money back, and they might not get it all.
A trial is underway to determine if $150 billion in Trump-era tariffs should be refunded to US companies.
Some companies are selling their refund claims to hedge funds at deep discounts.
Kids2 received as little as 9 cents on the dollar for some tariff claims.
Basic Fun! CEO doubts full recovery of $6 million paid in tariffs.
Uncertainty persists about the trial's outcome and the refund process.
- Who
- US companies affected by Trump-era tariffs, including Kids2 and Basic Fun!
- What
- Potential refund of $150 billion in tariffs paid by US companies
- When
- Unspecified, pending trial outcome
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Uncertainty about the trial's outcome and the refund process
- Total potential refund
- $150 billion
- Example company
- Kids2
- Refund received by Kids2
- 23 cents on the dollar
- Lowest refund received by Kids2
- 9 cents on the dollar
- Estimated loss for Basic Fun!
- $6 million
- Type of buyers for refund claims
- Hedge funds
- Current status
- Uncertainty looming