Maryland Leaders Demand $4 Billion Reimbursement for Unconstitutional Tariffs

State officials are formally requesting that the federal government reimburse Maryland consumers and businesses approximately $4 billion, representing revenues collected from tariffs that were later deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. According to a press release from the Office of Governor Wes Moore, Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis have jointly sent a letter to former President Donald J. Trump demanding the return of these funds.

The demand follows a recent Supreme Court ruling which determined that the executive branch lacked the constitutional authority to impose broad global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The Court’s decision affirmed that the power to levy taxes and tariffs rests with Congress. The tariffs in question are estimated to have cost Maryland businesses and consumers an average of $1,744 per household, impacting various sectors including the Port of Baltimore, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, small businesses, and agriculture through increased costs.

State officials argue that these tariffs amounted to an illegal tax increase on Marylanders and that the federal administration should now issue refunds to the state for equitable distribution. They point to a precedent set in the 1990s, where a mechanism for refunding unlawfully collected harbor maintenance fees was established, demonstrating that such restitution is both legally sound and administratively feasible. The Office of the Comptroller is prepared to manage an organized refund process once the funds are remitted.

The joint letter highlights the tangible financial impact of the tariffs on Maryland families and businesses, stating that the $4 billion represents money that could have been used to support job creation, business expansion, and household budgets. Officials expressed concern that taxpayers may be asked to cover the costs of these illegal tariffs twice – once through higher prices for goods and again through potential reimbursements to businesses.

The state leaders are reportedly ready to collaborate with the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish an efficient process for returning the collected tariff revenues. This action is part of a broader effort by Maryland to protect its residents and businesses from what are described as predatory pricing practices and unpredictable cost increases.

In addition to this demand for reimbursement, Governor Moore has proposed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act before the Maryland General Assembly. This legislation aims to shield Marylanders from invasive data practices and sudden price surges that inflate grocery bills. Furthermore, the Lower Bills and Local Power Act, part of the 2026 legislative agenda, seeks to ensure an affordable and reliable energy future for the state and provide direct energy bill rebates to families.

Comptroller Lierman has also been active in this matter, recently joining a coalition of 15 state financial officers from across the nation in a separate letter urging the Trump Administration to respect constitutional limits on tariff authority and avoid implementing significant trade actions without explicit congressional approval. These collective actions underscore Maryland’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, adherence to constitutional governance, and the economic stability of its working families.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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