The Main Street Alliance, a national network of small business owners, said that it welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling striking down President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, and would like to see businesses receive refunds.
“All year long, through our Main Street Media Desk and our advocacy on Capitol Hill, our members have been clear: This was a raw deal,” Richard Trent, executive director of the Main Street Alliance, said in a statement. “They were forced to absorb higher costs or pass them on to customers. That is not economic strength. That is a squeeze on Main Street.”
MSA’s national Tariff Impact Survey found:
-
81.5% of small businesses raised prices to offset tariff costs;
Advertisement -
31.5% anticipated layoffs;
-
41.7% delayed expansion; and
-
Only 14.6% could realistically shift production to the United States.
According to the statement, businesses faced tariff rates exceeding 100%, with no phase-in period and constant revisions.
“Our members were not just facing higher costs. They were facing chaos,” Trent said. “You cannot build a factory in two weeks. You cannot grow coffee in Minnesota. And you cannot plan payroll when tariff rates change overnight.”
Economists estimate that more than $175 billion was collected under the IEEPA-based tariff regime.
“If the authority was unlawful, the collections were unlawful,” Trent said. “Every penny taken from small businesses under this framework should be returned.”
Main Street Alliance is working with lawmakers to pursue reimbursement mechanisms.
President Trump responded to today’s ruling by saying he will sign an executive order to impose a 10% global tariff under a different legal authority.
