Governor Whitmer's Urgent Move: Are You Losing Thousands in Tariff Refunds? Find Out NOW!

LANSING, Mich. — On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive that coincides with the one-year anniversary of the "Liberation Day" tariffs, which were initially imposed by former President Donald Trump and subsequently invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court in February.

This directive mandates that state departments compile a report detailing the impact of these tariffs on Michigan industries and consumers. Moreover, it encourages businesses and employers to familiarize themselves with the upcoming federal refund process related to these tariffs.

“The president’s tariffs have jacked up costs, and Michiganders have been paying the price,” Whitmer stated. “Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that these tariffs are illegal, it’s time for Michiganders to get their money back.”

The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) has expressed its support for the governor's initiative. According to Vic Vega, MRA Vice President of Communications, “We're very grateful for the governor's support and helping bring awareness to the impacts that tariffs are having on Michiganders, both on the consumer side and on the retailer side.”

Whitmer's office highlighted that the rise in costs due to these tariffs has not been counterbalanced by the anticipated economic benefits. A recent survey by the MRA revealed that nearly 75% of Michigan retailers experienced a negative or strongly negative impact from tariffs since April 2025. Furthermore, over half of these retailers—specifically 56.1%—reported that uncertainty surrounding tariffs had adversely affected their business operations.

“The impacts really are across the board,” Vega explained. “Changing item pricing, altering inventory, or making adjustments to suppliers. Other members have shared that they are making changes to business processes or delaying pre-planned projects, such as maintenance or upgrades to their business and technology advancements.”

Research from the nonpartisan Yale University Budget Lab indicated that the average U.S. household bore a loss of between $450 and $570 due to the tariffs. Vega mentioned that retailers have been forced to get creative in keeping prices as affordable as possible, which reflects the significant strain these tariffs have imposed.

“This executive directive will show us the damage from these irresponsible tariffs and help get refunds back to Michigan businesses,” Whitmer asserted. “I’ll continue to call on Congress to set a strategic trade policy that keeps costs down and our economy stable.”

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency, responsible for processing tariffs, reported that a new refund system is approximately 80% complete. According to a court filing from CBP, 26,664 companies have already initiated the process to receive electronic refunds, which account for 78% of the tariffs that have been paid, translating to around $120 billion.

While Vega acknowledged the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the refund process, she remains hopeful that Whitmer's directive will bring more clarity. “It’s also unclear how consumers and employees may benefit, and we are also hoping for more clarity on trade policy moving forward,” she added.

Economics professor Chris Douglas from the University of Michigan-Flint, however, expressed skepticism about whether everyday Michiganders will actually benefit from these refunds. “My guess is that the company just pockets it to shore up their profits, especially with tariffs causing their profits to potentially go down if they had to pay a higher cost for their inputs thanks to the tariffs,” Douglas remarked.

He also cautioned that any relief for businesses might be short-lived, especially with a new 15% tariff and increasing energy costs looming on the horizon. “Both producers and consumers might not be seeing much in the way of price relief,” Douglas concluded.

The unfolding situation illustrates the intricate interplay of trade policies and their real-world impact on consumers and businesses in Michigan, highlighting the ongoing challenges posed by tariffs and the urgent need for strategic trade solutions. As state officials and industry representatives work together to navigate these complexities, the focus remains on restoring stability to Michigan’s economy.