Why it matters: The tariffs likely made a variety of items more expensive as businesses passed higher costs onto everyday Americans, and the ruling now could lead to a chaotic refund process — but it's unclear who gets to pocket that cash.
The Supreme Court ultimately left that question to the Trump administration in its ruling. Analysts are urging companies to start collecting receipts.
State of play: The overturned International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs mean that roughly $126 billion is in limbo across America, per economic research firm Trade Partnership Worldwide, based on trade from February to December 2025.
Pennsylvania paid an estimated $4 billion in IEEPA tariffs last year, per the firm.
Stunning stat: IEEPA added $149 million in additional tariffs on medical and surgical equipment imports and $74 million in added tariffs on coffee imports in Pennsylvania.
The bottom line: Economists at TD Securities view the refund process as "highly unclear" and estimate it could take up to 18 months as cases make their way through the federal court system.