Marketplace Consumers might see some tariff refunds — in 2036
13 snips
May 4, 2026 
Elizabeth Trowell, energy and travel reporter who covered jet fuel shortages and airline impacts. Justin Ho, economic and manufacturing reporter tracking strong electronics and factory orders. Kristen Schwab, consumer and business reporter explaining the long, litigious tariff refund process and retail decisions. They discuss jet fuel strains after Spirit’s collapse, AI-driven electronics demand, and who might or might not get tariff refunds.
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Manufacturing Orders Rise Driven By Electronics And AI Spending
- Manufacturing new orders rose 1.5% in April with strength in electronics tied to AI-related business spending.
- Economists cite delayed demand after tariff uncertainty and firms pulling orders ahead of potential price increases from Iran shocks.
Small Retailer Waiting On Tariff Refund
- Kristen Schwab reports Anne Robinson of Scottish Gourmet applied for a tariff refund and expects a few months to get it.
- Robinson plans raises, inventory, and possible customer credits but worries about plaintiff lawsuits and legal risk.
Lawsuits Over Tariff Refunds Face High Proof Costs
- Class actions against retailers over keeping tariff refunds will be hard to win because plaintiffs must quantify harm across many products and shifting tariff rates.
- Professor Christine Bartholomew says product-by-product modeling is costly and reveals sensitive pricing data, so many suits may settle and drag on for years.