Michigan Governor Signs Executive Directive to Help Businesses Receive Tariff Refunds After Supreme Court Ruling

Whitmer Orders State Agencies to Assess Tariff Impact and Assist Businesses in Getting Money Back

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive Thursday marking the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs, which were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in February. The directive instructs state departments to submit reports on how the tariffs have impacted Michigan industries and consumers, while ensuring businesses understand how to seek refunds under the federal process.

"The president's tariffs have jacked up costs, and Michiganders have been paying the price," Governor Whitmer said in a statement. "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."

Four Agencies Working to Assess Impact

The executive directive requires reports from four state agencies evaluating the ongoing impacts of tariffs on Michigan industries and consumers. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump that the tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, were unconstitutional.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency reported they were between 60% and 85% complete with creating a streamlined process for refund claims. However, the process remains incomplete, with federal officials noting the portal for applications is not yet fully operational.

"Right now, to my knowledge, the portal is not even up yet where people can apply for that, and once it is up, it will take a minimum of 45 days," said Glenn Stevens Jr., executive director of MichAuto, which represents Michigan's auto industry.

Economic Damage Widely Felt

The pain of increased costs from tariffs has not been offset by any of the promised economic gain. According to the nonpartisan Yale University Budget Lab, the tariffs brought about a loss of between $450 and $570 for the average U.S. household.

Michigan's industries have been hit particularly hard:

• Auto industry: The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) reported tariffs cost U.S. automakers approximately $35 billion last year alone
• Agriculture: Michigan farmers saw sharp declines in agricultural exports, with wheat down 89%, cherries down 62%, apples down 58%, and soybeans down 46%
• Food prices: Retailers reported increases in food prices of 3.6%
• Spices: Prices for spices jumped 50%
• Food packaging: Increased by 12%

A recent survey from the MRA found nearly 75% of Michigan retailers reported a negative or strongly negative impact from tariffs since April 2025. More than half of Michigan retailers, 56.1%, also said uncertainty surrounding tariffs has affected their businesses.

"We're very grateful for the governor's support and helping bring awareness to the impacts that tariffs are having on Michiganders, both on the consumer side and the retailer side," said Vic Vega, Vice President of Communications for the Michigan Retailers Association.

Small Businesses Bear Brunt

The impact has been particularly severe for small businesses.

"The consumer has felt it. But really, the victim has really been these small businesses, not just the big businesses, but the small businesses. And in some cases, it has forced them to go out of business," said Stevens.

MichAuto's Stevens added that in the auto industry alone, the $35 billion in costs from tariffs has caused significant problems for companies trying to compete globally.

"We see some damage, so we need to collect in the data," said Wayne Fu, associate professor of Decision Science at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Governor's Previous Tariff Assessment

This follows previous work by Governor Whitmer's office. In July 2025, the governor 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 new directive builds on that earlier work while adding a specific focus on helping businesses navigate the refund process.

"We'll continue to call on Congress to set a strategic trade policy that keeps costs down and our economy stable," Whitmer said. "Whether it's making it easier to get your refund or working to lower everyday costs, we've got your back."

What Comes Next

State officials say more details on how businesses can apply for refunds are expected in the coming months. The executive directive also requires state departments to use their available channels to ensure that registered businesses and employers know how to seek refunds under the process the federal government is developing.

The Michigan Retailers Association welcomed the directive, noting its importance for both retailers and consumers who have faced higher prices at the store level.