The Supreme Court's recent invalidation of Trump's global tariffs has opened a path for American businesses to claim refunds on approximately $166 billion in duties collected. Small businesses, however, face disproportionate challenges despite this potential relief. New York City businesses absorbed $4.5 billion in tariff costs last year, with 5,000 city establishments closing entirely as they struggled to absorb unexpected import expenses on already thin margins.

Brooklyn's Yun Hai Shop, a Taiwanese general store, navigated tariff rates that fluctuated between 10-20% throughout the past year. These costs forced the business to cut advertising, move tasks in-house, and raise prices by 10-15%. Founder Lisa Cheng Smith used personal savings to cover tariff payments while maintaining her five-employee team. Despite strong sales periods, the business barely squeaked by, unable to reverse the damage incurred.

The refund process itself has become another hurdle for small businesses. The application portal, opened in April, presents complex paperwork that many find too burdensome to navigate. Meanwhile, businesses continue paying a new 10% emergency tariff already facing legal challenges. Many remain skeptical of any celebration, questioning what policy changes might come next as the business ecosystem continues to operate in uncertainty.