A federal court ruled the president's tariffs illegal, triggering $166 billion in refunds to businesses that paid them. Consumers who faced higher prices from these tariffs will not receive direct refunds. The tariffs inflated costs across products from groceries to electronics, squeezing household budgets for months. Companies collected these tariff costs from shoppers but now face a choice about whether to return the windfall or keep it as profit. Major retailers and manufacturers have disclosed little about their refund plans. Some industry groups have suggested businesses should retain portions of the money to offset their compliance costs. Consumer advocates argue that families who bore the price increases deserve compensation. The refund process will take months to complete, and businesses face no legal obligation to pass savings to customers. Economists note this creates a transfer of wealth from households to corporate accounts, potentially widening the gap between consumer spending power and corporate profits.