Meng Advances Measure to Help Small Businesses Access Tariff Refunds in Appropriations Committee

Meng, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, introduced an amendment to the bill to direct the Department of Commerce to conduct outreach and provide technical assistance to U.S. small businesses that may be entitled to refunds. In February, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs, the Administration announced a process to refund tariffs paid by American importers. The Trump Administration owes American businesses an estimated $166 billion plus interest. But because of the complexity of the application process, only around 15 percent of applications have been accepted by the government. Untold numbers of businesses have not even applied. Rep. Meng’s bill amendment would direct the Department of Commerce to provide badly needed assistance to small businesses that may be eligible for refunds.