Thousands of companies are now using the legal basis created in this way as a basis for lawsuits in order to get back money lost due to the tariffs. This comes from a report by “Bloomberg“. First the US broadcaster had CNBC reported that over 2,000 lawsuits have now been filed by companies.

FedEx, L’Oreal, Dyson are suing Trump

According to “Bloomberg,” there is growing concern among companies that the Trump administration will not refund the billions of dollars collected through the tariffs.

Some of the more prominent companies seeking to reclaim amounts they paid for imports through lawsuits include: FedExDyson and L’Oreal.

Initial reactions and assessments from the US Department of Justice were already expected on Friday. As “Bloomberg” reports, the ministry left it to the US Commercial Court in New York. It is currently unclear whether and when the US government will be prepared to make repayments.

“Only a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of importers” who were affected

But even 2,000 lawsuits represent only a “fraction of the hundreds of thousands of importers” who were affected by Trump’s tariffs, according to Bloomberg.

A FedEx spokesman said in a statement to Bloomberg that the company “has taken the necessary actions to protect the company’s rights as an importer and to seek a refund of duties.” And further: “If FedEx receives a refund, we will provide a refund to the shippers and consumers who originally paid these fees.”

Lawsuits mainly from smaller companies

However, the vast majority of companies suing are smaller companies that did not have the ability to transform their supply chains in response to the Trump tariffs. The lawsuits from the retail giants are still crucial for these smaller companies.

Because they would give smaller companies the impetus to sue, as commercial lawyer Jason Kenner told “Bloomberg”. Smaller companies would then think, “Maybe they know something I don’t know.”

There is also “security in numbers,” as commercial lawyer David Craven says. Lawsuits by large companies would reduce smaller companies’ fears of “retaliation” from the White House.