Idaho Small Businesses Struggle to Recoup Tariff Losses

Supreme Court ruling against Trump's tariffs leaves many companies uncertain about refunds and the path forward.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:04pm

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Small businesses in Idaho, such as technical apparel company Wild Rye, have faced significant financial losses due to fluctuating tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Despite a Supreme Court ruling against the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement sweeping tariffs, companies are now navigating a complex legal landscape to try and recoup the estimated $130 billion in tariff payments collected from around 330,000 businesses nationwide.

Why it matters

The tariff uncertainty has taken a major emotional and financial toll on small businesses in Idaho and across the country. While the Supreme Court ruling was seen as a win, the path forward for businesses to actually receive refunds remains unclear, leaving many owners unsure of how to proceed and whether the legal costs will be worth the potential payout.

The details

Cassie Abel, the co-founder of Wild Rye in Ketchum, estimates her company lost around $500,000 due to the tariffs and associated shipping fees. The company had to freeze hiring, rethink pricing, and even sell off more equity than planned to stay afloat. While over 2,000 companies have filed suits seeking tariff refunds, the legal process could take years and may not be feasible for many cash-strapped small businesses.

  • In April 2025, President Trump proclaimed 'Liberation Day' after implementing sweeping tariffs.
  • On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize Trump's use of tariffs.
  • On March 1, 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that the Trump administration cannot delay suits filed by businesses seeking tariff refunds.

The players

Cassie Abel

The co-founder of Wild Rye, a technical women's apparel company in Ketchum, Idaho that lost an estimated $500,000 due to tariffs and shipping fees.

Robert Spendlove

An economist with Zions Bank who notes that the Trump administration will likely continue to use tariffs as a negotiating tool and revenue source.

Oliver Dunford

An attorney with the Pacific Legal Foundation who suggests that some small businesses may need to simply 'eat the loss' of tariff revenue rather than pursue legal action.

Dan Anthony

The executive director of the grassroots coalition 'We Pay the Tariffs', which is calling for a full, fast, and automatic refund process for small businesses impacted by the tariffs.

Liberty Justice Center

A legal organization that has criticized the Trump administration's attempts to delay returning tariff payments to businesses.

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What they’re saying

“It took quite an emotional toll on my nervous system, not just on me, but on all our team members who were trying to make sense of it all.”

— Cassie Abel, Co-founder, Wild Rye

“People need to understand and recognize that Trump and his administration will continue to find ways to use tariffs as a tool. He sees them as a valuable tool, to negotiate, to collect revenue. He sees them as a major tax policy.”

— Robert Spendlove, Economist, Zions Bank

“American small businesses have waited long enough. A full, fast and automatic refund process is what these businesses are owed and anything less is unacceptable.”

— Dan Anthony, Executive Director, We Pay the Tariffs

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow businesses to receive full refunds of the IEEPA tariffs without requiring them to file individual lawsuits.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the significant financial and emotional toll that unpredictable government policies can have on small businesses, even when the courts ultimately rule against such measures. The complex legal process for seeking tariff refunds may prove too burdensome for many cash-strapped companies, underscoring the need for more streamlined and equitable solutions to support small businesses impacted by federal actions.