**Apple Pursues Refunds for Tariffs After Supreme Court Decision**
During the fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company is seeking refunds for tariffs imposed under the policies enacted by former President Donald Trump. This choice comes after a recent Supreme Court verdict that declared these tariffs unconstitutional.
In a pivotal 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not provide the president with the power to impose broad tariffs. This ruling effectively nullifies the tariffs and permits companies, including Apple, to pursue refunds for the duties they have paid.
Cook mentioned that Apple is adhering to “the established processes” in its efforts to seek these refunds. Although he did not disclose the amount Apple anticipates recovering, he stressed that any funds obtained would be reinvested into U.S. innovation and advanced manufacturing. This effort is consistent with Apple’s larger commitment to U.S. manufacturing, as demonstrated by the American Manufacturing Program (AMP) initiated last year, encompassing a $600 billion, four-year investment strategy.
The AMP has seen recent expansion, with new collaborators like Bosch, Cirrus Logic, TDK, and Qnity Electronics joining the effort. Cook made these remarks during the Q&A portion of the earnings call, where he also commented on ongoing supply chain challenges, indicating that the Mac desktop shortage is likely to persist for several months.
For the second quarter of 2026, Apple reported revenue of $111.2 billion, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase. As companies across different sectors pursue refunds for duties collected under the now-overturned tariff system, the potential total refunds could reach approximately $166 billion.
In a related remark, Donald Trump stated he would “remember” companies that opt not to seek refunds while criticizing those who do. Nevertheless, many businesses are proceeding with their claims following the Supreme Court’s ruling.