Supreme Court Reviews Trump Tariffs
Michelle Schulz on What’s at Stake for Texas Businesses
As the Supreme Court weighs the limits of presidential power, trade attorney Michelle Schulz explains how the ruling could shape refunds, sourcing strategies, and the survival of small businesses.
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The Case Before the Supreme Court
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments on whether President Trump exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when imposing wide-ranging tariffs. Speaking with NBC 5, Dallas-based trade attorney Michelle Schulz said the legal question centers on whether the law was ever meant to be used this way.
“I have never seen it used for tariff leverage before,” Schulz explained. “If I’m honest, I do not believe that it follows the letter of the law.”
The outcome could redefine how presidents wield economic power—and directly impact businesses across Texas and the nation.
The Human and Financial Toll
NBC 5’s story featured Sue Schultz, owner of What’s Poppin Texas in Waxahachie, whose 25-pound boxes of white chocolate jumped $40 per case under the new tariffs. She told reporters she’s tried to keep prices down for her customers, even though it’s squeezing profits.
For many importers, Schulz said, the financial hit has already been devastating.
“If the court rules against the President, customs would then owe refunds to our clients—many of whom have lost millions of dollars in revenue.”
But if the Court upholds the tariffs, companies will have to double down on compliance and logistics reviews.
“You’ll see more importers reviewing specifics of their transactions,” Schulz added. “Many have already moved their sourcing—and that’s not very helpful.”
Beyond the Ruling: What Comes Next
Even if the tariffs are struck down, Schulz cautioned that the administration still has other legal tools available.
“Even if the tariffs are ruled illegal, the Trump administration has several other options to impose tariffs.”
For small business owners like Sue, the uncertainty remains daunting. “I’m really hoping they can pull back some of these tariffs,” she said. “They’re hurting the little guy. But once prices go up, I don’t know if they’ll ever really come back down.”
The Supreme Court’s decision could set a major precedent for trade law and business operations in the U.S.
If your company has been affected by recent tariffs—or may qualify for future refunds—contact Schulz Trade Consulting today to prepare your compliance strategy and explore refund recovery options.