New Delhi: Indian-American lawyer Neal Katyal is once again in the spotlight for challenging former U.S. President Donald Trump, this time over tariff refunds for businesses affected by Trump’s trade measures.
Supreme Court Victory Sparks Questions on Refunds
Last Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s tariffs in a historic 6-3 ruling. The court stated that the Trump administration had overstepped its authority, emphasizing that the power to impose taxes lies primarily with Congress. While the ruling delivered a major setback to Trump’s global trade strategy, it also raised questions about compensation for importers and businesses who suffered financial losses due to the tariffs.
Task Force for Refunds
To address this, Katyal has now formed a new legal task force to help businesses and importers recover losses caused by Trump’s tariffs. Announcing the initiative on 23 February, Katyal said, “We hadn’t directly demanded refunds earlier, as our legal team expected that a victory in court would automatically lead to reimbursement. Today, we are launching a task force to fight for these refunds. If the federal government refuses, we will fight with full force.”
Questioning the 15% Global Tariff
Following the Supreme Court decision, Trump had imposed a 15% global tariff, raising questions about its legal validity. Katyal argues that the president cannot bypass Congress to implement such broad measures and insists that policies must be enforced through constitutional procedures.
$170 Billion at Stake
If pressure mounts on the Trump administration to provide refunds, the impact on the U.S. Treasury could be substantial. Over 300,000 businesses have already demanded $170 billion (approximately ₹15.42 lakh crore) in tariff refunds. During the hearings, Justice Brett Kavanaugh noted that reimbursing such large amounts could have a significant financial impact.
About Neal Katyal
Katyal, born on 12 March 1970 in Chicago to Indian immigrant parents, has an impressive legal career. His mother is a doctor and father an engineer. Katyal graduated from Dartmouth College and Yale Law School, and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. In 2010, former U.S. President Barack Obama appointed him Acting Solicitor General, and he has argued over 50 landmark cases before the Supreme Court, a record for a minority attorney in the United States.
With this latest initiative, Neal Katyal is once again playing a pivotal role in shaping U.S. trade law, challenging executive overreach, and potentially securing billions in refunds for affected businesses.
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