Trump Faces Mounting Pressure Over Tariffs, Trillions of Rupiah at Risk

Trump Faces Mounting Pressure Over Tariffs, Trillions of Rupiah at Risk

Washington, CNBC Indonesia - The administration of United States President Donald Trump is currently developing a secret legal strategy to retain billions of dollars in tariff revenue. This move is being taken despite the US Supreme Court ruling that the collection of these tariffs was illegal.

Five sources familiar with the internal discussions revealed to Politico on Thursday (February 26, 2026) that officials in various departments are now rushing to find loopholes to avoid having to return the money to affected companies.

According to reports, initial ideas include policies to discourage companies from filing claims for refunds, as well as technical efforts to prevent the government from repaying the money in order to protect the state’s coffers.

Two sources mentioned that one of the strategies being prepared is to claim that the tariffs paid in the past year remain valid under a new legal framework being prepared by the government. Additionally, there is an option for companies to “jump the queue” for refunds if they agree to relinquish a portion of the money to the government.

This legal turmoil comes amid the Trump administration’s promise last year, through the Department of Justice, to repay tariffs plus interest to businesses if the government lost in court. However, this stance now appears to be softening as the administration faces significant fiscal pressures.

“Trump is trying to paint a picture that the courts have not yet decided what to do with the money. The normal refund process takes about two and a half years, which gives the government two years before there is any real doubt that they are not sincere about returning the money,” said one of the anonymous sources.

To date, the White House, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), and the Department of Homeland Security have not issued an official comment regarding the plan. However, the stakes involve more than US$133 billion (approximately Rp 2,245 trillion) that has been collected from importers.

The president director of the logistics giant FedEx has also spoken out, becoming the first major company to file a lawsuit demanding a full refund of the tariffs it has paid. Business groups from various sectors are also urging the government to immediately comply with the court’s ruling.

“It is clear that the courts will not be pleased if the government not only breaks its promise but also forces everyone to file a lawsuit just to get their money back,” said Jeffrey Schwab, a lawyer from VOS Selections, one of the companies suing the government.

On the other hand, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer have signaled that the government will follow the process set by the judge, although they remain vocal in defending the tariff policy. Bessent has even openly expressed his disapproval of the refunds.

“I have a feeling that the American people will not see (the refunds). Tariff refunds are the most blatant form of corporate welfare,” Bessent said in an interview with Fox News.

Tariff revenue is a major pillar of Trump’s economy. The White House previously projected tariff revenue of US$4 trillion (Rp 67,520 trillion) over the next ten years to cover the deficit resulting from a massive tax cut package. Without tariff revenue, the US national debt is projected to swell by US$3.4 trillion (Rp 57,392 trillion).

Currently, the US International Trade Court is preparing to process more than 1,000 cases related to refunds. Experts warn that the Department of Justice is likely to use a slow-moving litigation strategy, such as challenging claims shipment by shipment or appealing unfavorable rulings.

“No one is expecting a quick answer on these refunds. Trump has said he expects legal battles for years, and for me, that means the government will not make it easy,” said Tami Overby, a partner at the DGA Government Relations consulting firm.