survey / investigation

diàochá

调查

to show / to reveal

xiǎnshì

显示

majority / most

duōshù

多数

US / American

Měiguó

美国

company / enterprise

qǐyè

企业

will not / do not plan to

bú huì

不会

will / to transfer

jiāng

将

tariff / customs duty

guānshuì

关税

refund / rebate

tuìkuǎn

退款

to pass on to / to hand over to

zhuǎnràng gěi

转让给

consumer

xiāofèizhě

消费者

。

New Words

News in English

Survey Finds Most US Companies Will Not Pass Tariff Refunds to Consumers

A CNBC survey found that none of the 25 CFOs polled plan to pass tariff refunds on to consumers after the Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs. Companies broadly view the refunds as partial compensation for costs already absorbed, not as savings to share with buyers.

A survey released by CNBC, the US financial news network, reveals that the majority of corporate chief financial officers do not intend to pass tariff increases directly to consumers. In February, the US Supreme Court ruled that Trump's reciprocal tariff policy was unconstitutional, enabling affected companies to seek refund eligibility.

Among 25 CFOs surveyed, 12 indicated plans to apply for refunds, yet not a single executive planned to return the funds directly to customers. Surveyed companies widely perceive refunds merely as partial compensation for substantial costs absorbed during the tariff period, rather than as justification for lowering product prices. Economists warn that if refunds fail to reach end consumers, the price pressure resulting from tariffs will be difficult to fundamentally resolve.

Concurrently, Trump announced a new 10 to 15 percent global unified tariff based on alternative legislation, signaling that trade protectionist measures have not concluded. The tariff discussions continue to impact business operations and consumer economics substantially.

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