Michigan Businesses Push for Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling Strips Trump Levies as Whitmer Directs State Agencies to Help

LANSING — On the one-year anniversary of "Liberation Day," Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive aimed at helping Michigan businesses and workers recover refunds from tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump that were recently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The executive directive, formally titled Executive Directive 2026-2: Ongoing Impact of Tariffs on Michigan's Economy, requires state departments to submit reports illustrating how tariffs have impacted Michigan industries and consumers. It also directs state agencies to ensure registered businesses know how to seek refunds under the process the federal government is developing.

The Supreme Court Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were unconstitutional. The Court of International Trade subsequently ruled that the federal government must issue refunds for tariffs following the Supreme Court's decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump.

In their most recent update to the court, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency reported they were between 60% and 85% complete with creating a streamlined process for refund claims.

"The president's tariffs have jacked up costs, and Michiganders have been paying the price," Whitmer said in a statement issued by her office. "Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that these tariffs are illegal, it's time for Michiganders to get their money back. This executive directive will show us the damage from these irresponsible tariffs and help get refunds back to Michigan businesses."

Economic Impact on Michigan

The pain of these increased costs from tariffs has not been offset by any promised economic gain. U.S. GDP grew at a slower rate in 2025 than in preceding years, and companies added fewer jobs in 2025 than at any point in the last 20 years.

A recent analysis found that tariffs cost U.S. automakers $35 billion last year. Tariffs are estimated to have cost working families $1,000 per year.

Michigan industries have been hit hard by the policy. A report ordered last year by the governor determined several sectors suffered significant losses:

• Farmers and families, with MDARD noting sharp declines in agricultural exports:

- Wheat: 89% decline

- Cherries: 62% decline

- Apples: 58% decline

- Soybeans: 46% decline

• Higher prices on essential goods:

- Spices: +50% increase

- Food packaging: +12% increase

- Food: +3.6% increase at the store

• Homebuilders and homebuyers, with MSHDA tracking a nationwide increase of up to $4 billion on materials necessary for home construction

Business Leaders Welcome the Directive

Brian Calley, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, said that help would be welcomed by businesses that cannot afford legal counsel to work through whatever bureaucracy is created to comply with the decision.

"I think that's the most important thing that could be provided for small businesses, in particular, that will be navigating a system that literally doesn't exist right now," Calley told Michigan Public Radio. "There's so many complex aspects to this."

Uncertainty Remains

Despite the directive, experts note significant uncertainty about the refund process and timeline.

Sandy Baruha, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, believes the Trump administration still has more moves in works. "I would not buy things on credit based on the supposed promise of reimbursement checks coming," Baruha said. "I think he's moving from one avenue to another and he's in the process of doing that right now."

Economist Charles Ballard agreed there are still questions about how the decision will be applied and who might benefit. "I think there probably will be some refunds," Ballard said. "To the extent to which those trickle back to consumers, I don't think we're sure about that, especially since there already so many other inflationary pressures right now, especially in the oil markets."

Previous Tariff Assessment

In July 2025, Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2025-5 to begin assessing the impacts of tariffs across Michigan industries and examine how increased costs are passed on to consumers. The current directive builds on that earlier work with a focus on facilitating refunds to those who paid the levies.

Whitmer signed the directive on April 2, 2026, marking exactly one year since Trump announced the tariffs in the White House Rose Garden. The timing was intentional, with the governor using the anniversary to highlight the economic damage and push for relief for Michigan businesses.

Sources

• https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2026/04/02/whitmer-signs-executive-directive-to-assess-tariff-impact-help-businesses-access-refunds
• https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/state-orders-and-directives/2026/04/02/executive-directive-2026-2-ongoing-impact-of-tariffs-on-michigans-economy
• https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2026-04-02/whitmer-calls-on-state-agencies-to-report-on-tariff-impact-to-mi-businesses
• https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/whitmer-line5-tariff-court-michigan-hall-22186031.php
• https://www.wnem.com/2026/04/02/gretchen-whitmer-signs-executive-order-tariff-refunds/