FedEx has initiated legal proceedings against the Trump administration to reclaim tariffs paid in alignment with executive orders issued in 2025. The logistics giant filed its lawsuit in the US Court of International Trade, aiming to secure a full refund of duties deemed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). FedEx argues that these tariffs, applied to nearly all imports, were unjustly levied under questionable executive authority.
The legal framework in question, the IEEPA, grants the president substantial powers to regulate economic transactions during a national emergency. This authority was cited in the Trump administration’s strategy to address the longstanding issue of large U.S. goods trade deficits, which were blamed for weakening domestic manufacturing and creating dependency on foreign supply chains. The administration highlighted these concerns to justify the imposition of tariffs as a measure to fortify the domestic economic and defense-industrial bases [JURIST – FedEx sues Trump for tariff refund](https://www.jurist.org/news/2026/02/fedex-sues-trump-for-tariff-refund/).
This legal move by FedEx comes in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, where it was determined that the IEEPA does not authorize the president to levy tariffs. Consequently, this ruling prompted President Trump to issue Executive Order 14389, effectively halting these tariffs and ordering federal agencies to cease their collection.
Notably, FedEx is the first major corporation to pursue legal action to recover tariff payments following the Supreme Court’s decision. Previously, Costco launched a similar lawsuit in December 2025, challenging the legality of these tariffs. The FedEx lawsuit could potentially set a precedent for other companies seeking redress from payments that have now been deemed unlawful.
The implications of this legal battle extend beyond a single corporation’s efforts to recover funds. It raises critical questions about the reach of presidential powers under the IEEPA and may influence how future administrations approach the regulation of international trade and tariffs. As the case unfolds, both the legal community and international trade entities will be closely monitoring its progress.