Commentary: Waiting for your tariff refund check? Fugeddaboutit!

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has a way of saying the quiet parts out loud in defending President Trump’s economic policies, told the truth again Friday, during a public appearance a few hours after the Supreme Court threw out most of Trump’s tariffs.Asked about the prospects that Americans would be receiving refunds of the illegal tariffs paid since Trump imposed them in April, Bessent replied with a condescending smirk: “I get a feeling the American people won’t see it.”A couple of things about that.

One is that there doesn’t seem to be any legal question that those who paid the tariffs are entitled to refunds.In his 6-3 ruling invalidating levies imposed on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA, Chief Justice John Roberts made clear that those tariffs were unconstitutional and illegal from their inception.

The refund process is likely to be a ‘mess.’— Supreme Court Justice Brett KavanaughTherefore, there’s no excuse for the government to hold on to the money it has collected — estimated at somewhere between $135 billion and $170 billion.But Roberts didn’t state whether refunds are warranted or, if so, how they should be calculated and distributed.Trump has dangled the prospect of tariff refunds — actually, tariff “dividend” checks of $2,000 — in front of taxpayers for months.

In effect, that would mean returning to taxpayers the money that his tariffs have cost them.Bessent’s comments put paid to that promise.Commentary on economics and more from a Pulitzer Prize winner.

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.Today, no one is arguing seriously that checks should be cut for taxpayers — except Illinois Gov.

JB Pritzer, who demanded refund checks totalling $8.7 billion for his constituents.But that has the aroma of a campaign stunt for Pritzker, who is runni...