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As the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on President Donald Trump’s country-specific tariffs, South Korean companies continue to file lawsuits against the U.S. government seeking tariff refunds.

According to the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) on the 28th (local time), the U.S. subsidiary of Hankook Tire filed a lawsuit against Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the 26th. The company requested the court to declare the tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) illegal. Hankook Tire is seeking an injunction to prevent CBP from imposing further duties on its imports and a court order for a full refund of tariffs already paid.

Lower courts have previously ruled that the IEEPA-based tariffs are unlawful, and the case is now awaiting a Supreme Court decision. During oral arguments on November 5 last year, a majority of justices expressed skepticism toward the administration's legal defense, leading to speculation that the court might strike down the tariffs.

Hankook Tire stated in its complaint that even if the Supreme Court rules the tariffs illegal, there is no guarantee of a refund without an individual lawsuit. Similar lawsuits from global firms are mounting at the USCIT. Among Korean firms, Taihan Cable & Solution filed last month, while Hanwha Q CELLS and Samsung Electronics’ subsidiary Harman also filed but later withdrew.

Currently, all new refund-related lawsuits at the USCIT, including those by Hankook Tire and Taihan Cable, are automatically stayed. The USCIT issued an order on December 23 last year to suspend proceedings until the Supreme Court rules, noting that the Trump administration agreed not to oppose re-liquidation and refunds if the high court finds the tariffs unlawful. Nevertheless, companies continue to file to ensure their legal right to a refund.

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