Treasury Refunds $22 Billion in Customs Duties

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Wednesday, June 10,2026 that it refunded $22 billion in customs duties during May, marking the first major round of repayments after the Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s global tariff programme. The amount refunded matched the customs duties collected over the same period, effectively offsetting all tariff revenue for the month.

Supreme Court Ruling and Legal Challenges

The repayments follow a February Supreme Court decision that found the president had exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act when imposing broad tariffs on trading partners. In response, U.S. Customs and Border Protection began processing refunds tied to these duties, which cover approximately $166 billion collected under the programme. Despite ongoing repayments, the Trump administration has appealed the court ruling, creating legal uncertainty around the refund process.

Judge Eaton and Oversight Concerns

Judge Richard Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade cautioned that any interference could affect the progress of the refund programme. Officials continue to defend the administration’s broader tariff strategy despite the setback.

Fiscal Impact and Future Tariffs

Separately, Treasury data indicated that the U.S. budget deficit narrowed by 9 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching $1.2 trillion for the first eight months of the fiscal year. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the administration introduced a temporary 10 percent tariff on certain imports, while industry-specific tariffs on steel, aluminium, and automobiles remain in place. Plans for more permanent duties are also being considered.

The refund programme and ongoing legal developments highlight the complexities of U.S. trade policy and the balancing of executive authority, congressional oversight, and judicial review in shaping economic strategy.