Gov. Healey demands refunds for Mass. residents hit by Trump’s tariffs, asks for ‘full restitution’
What would you do with an extra $1,745?
That's how much Gov. Maura Healey says every Bay State household is owed after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's tariffs last month
The Democratic governor made the ask in a Tuesday letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, arguing that, with 2.8 million households in the state, the administration was into Massachusetts to the tune of $4.88 billion.
Do a little math, and that comes out to the $1,745 the tariffs cost each Massachusetts household between February 2025 and January 2026.
"From groceries and household goods to construction materials and consumer products, Massachusetts residents paid more at the register and businesses absorbed higher operating costs," Healey wrote to Bessent. "Having unlawfully seized over $100 billion ... from American people and businesses, the federal government must immediately take steps to pay full restitution."
The U.S. Supreme Court, with a majority that included Trump appointees, struck down the trade levies last month, ruling that Trump trampled on a power that belongs to Congress.
Businesses immediately began lining up for refunds for the extra they'd been charged by Washington for imports. Their arguments were bolstered last week when the U.S. Court of International Trade ordered U.S. Customs and Border Protection to pay up.
Trump has since said he plans to reimpose the tariffs under a separate section of federal law. And the group that successfully challenged the levies the first time around is already gearing up for another fight .
Healey urged the Republican White House to similarly reconsider those new trade levies, arguing that the previous regime "wreaked havoc on our economy and increased costs for hardworking families and small businesses across Massachusetts."
"It makes no sense to stubbornly continue this failed and unlawful policy that increases costs on everyone," she continued.
But Healey, who is seeking reelection this fall, could have her work cut out for her as she looks to shake loose reimbursements from Washington.
That's because business owners are skeptical that they'll ever see any of the billions shaken loose by the high court's ruling on the trade levies, The Guardian reported .
Trump has said that the issue could be tied up in courts "for the next five years ," the newspaper reported.
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