Gillibrand urges Trump to refund small businesses and consumers for ‘illegal tariifs’

Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to demand that President Trump end his tariff chaos and refund American consumers and small businesses what they paid in tariff cost increases.

“New Yorkers deserve better than President Trump’s tariffs and cost-increasing chaos. Prices are up for housing, groceries, electricity, and other everyday essentials because of President Trump’s tariffs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Last week, the Supreme Court confirmed what Democrats have been saying for months—President Trump’s tariffs are illegal. I’m demanding that the Trump administration follow the law, end these harmful tariffs once and for all, and refund small businesses and consumers for the costs they incurred from the illegal tariffs.”

Senator Gillibrand’s demands follow the Supreme Court’s decision last week to strike down President Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs. These illegal tariffs generated over $130 billion in revenue, an estimated 96% of which came from American businesses and consumers, and affected nearly all imported goods. Trump’s overall tariff scheme costs New York families $4,200 per household annually.

This week, Senator Gillibrand demanded that the Trump administration immediately begin issuing refunds to small businesses for the additional costs they incurred from the illegal tariffs and ensure that those funds are passed through to consumers.

Senator Gillibrand has opposed President Trump’s tariffs since the start of his administration. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s Tariff Tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. She also sent a legal brief with 206 members of Congress emphasizing to the Supreme Court that these tariffs are illegal.