President Donald Trump on Tuesday signaled appreciation for U.S. companies that choose not to pursue refunds on tariffs paid under his administration’s trade policies, framing the decision as a patriotic contribution to strengthening the nation. Speaking in a live phone interview with CNBC on the second day of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) new electronic refund portal, Trump highlighted reports that major firms like Apple and Amazon had not yet applied for reimbursements. He described the choice as “brilliant” and said he would “remember” such companies. “It’s brilliant if they don’t do that,” Trump stated. “If they don’t do that, I’ll remember them. I will tell you that, because I’m looking to make this country strong.” Trump has long portrayed tariffs as a tool to protect American industries, bring manufacturing back home, and address trade imbalances — particularly with countries like China. He has characterized the payment of these duties by U.S. importers as a form of support for national priorities. In the interview, he contrasted companies seeking refunds with those showing restraint, at one point referring to recipients of large refund checks as potentially benefiting “the enemy” or “people that have hated the United States. “The comments come amid the rollout of the CBP’s CAPE system, launched on April 20, 2026, to process applications for up to $166 billion in potential refunds. This follows a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling that struck down sweeping global tariffs imposed by Trump under a 1977 national emergency law, with the court determining the measures exceeded presidential authority. A subsequent court order required the creation of the refund mechanism. Payments are not expected until 60 to 90 days after applications are accepted, and a temporary stay issued Tuesday by Judge Richard Eaton requires a progress report from CBP by April 28, with an appeal deadline set for June 7. Some companies, including Costco, FedEx, and Mondelez, have pursued legal action to secure faster refunds. Others, such as Walmart and Amazon, have not filed lawsuits — a step experts interpret as a potential effort to maintain positive standing with the administration. Trump expressed optimism about alternative tariff approaches moving forward, noting that his team is developing measures under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. These would involve investigations and public comments, with implementation possibly starting in July. He suggested the new structure could ultimately generate even greater revenue for the U.S., describing it as “a little more unwieldy” but consistent with established trade practices. “We’re doing it a different way. We’re going to end up with the same — actually, we’ll end up with bigger numbers, actually,” Trump said. MacDailyNews Take: As the refund process unfolds and new tariff frameworks take shape, companies face strategic choices that could influence their relationships with the administration and their role in broader efforts to reshape U.S.-international trade dynamics. Trump’s remarks suggest that restraint on refunds are very likely be viewed favorably as support for U.S. national priorities going forward. Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post President Trump says he will ‘remember’ companies that forgo tariff refunds appeared first on MacDailyNews. Invite your friends and earn rewards
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