WASHINGTON, D.C., February 21 — Chuck Schumer sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, calling the measures illegal and insisting that funds collected under the tariffs must be returned following a recent Supreme Court ruling.
“The Supreme Court did what everyone knew was the right thing,” Schumer said. “If the court was ruling correctly, it would throw it out, and it did. But it has thrown America into chaos. All of the promises Trump made about bringing back manufacturing jobs have not materialized. Prices have gone higher, not lower.”
Schumer also criticized Trump’s response to the ruling and his public comments about the court.
“What he should have done, since the tariffs have been such a disaster, is accept the ruling,” Schumer said. “Instead, he is coming up with another plan to impose the same tariffs that are going to keep prices high, cost manufacturing jobs, increase inflation, and widen the trade deficit.”
When asked about the possibility of refunds, Schumer said legal action would follow if the administration fails to comply.
“If the tariffs are illegal, the money must be returned,” Schumer said. “If not, we will see them in court. In many cases where Trump has been challenged in court, including this one, the courts have held him accountable.”
The remarks follow a major ruling by the US Supreme Court on February 20, which determined in a 6–3 decision that Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by imposing sweeping global tariffs without congressional approval.
The court reaffirmed that tariff authority rests with Congress under the Constitution, dealing a significant blow to the administration’s trade agenda.
Trump strongly criticized the ruling, calling it a “disgrace,” and subsequently signed a temporary 10% global tariff under an alternative legal provision in an effort to maintain import duties while exploring other legal avenues.
The decision has triggered strong reactions from lawmakers and raised broader questions about trade policy, executive authority, and whether the federal government may be required to refund billions of dollars collected under the now-invalidated tariffs.
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