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BASF is looking into legal claims by U.S. unit for tariff reimbursement

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 27, 2026

1 min read

· Last updated: April 2, 2026

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LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, Feb 27 (Reuters) - BASF's CEO said if the chemical group finds its U.S. subsidiary has a legal claim, it will sue for import tariff reimbursement after the U.S. Supreme Court

BASF considers suing for U.S. import tariff reimbursement after ruling

BASF weighs legal action over U.S. tariff reimbursements

CEO comments on fiduciary duty and potential claim

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, Feb 27 (Reuters) - BASF's CEO said if the chemical group finds its U.S. subsidiary has a legal claim, it will sue for import tariff reimbursement after the U.S. Supreme Court quashed many of President Donald Trump's tariffs.

"If this change in regulations does indeed result in a legal title for BASF Corporation, we of course have a fiduciary duty to pursue this claim," CEO Markus Kamieth said during a press conference after releasing quarterly results.

Internal assessment status

He added the internal assessment was ongoing and the outcome unclear. Finance Chief Dirk Elvermann said that most products sold in the United States were made there, strongly limiting any direct impact from import duties.

Reporting and editorial notes

(Reporting by Patricia WeissWriting by Ludwig , editing by Kirsti Knolle)

Key Takeaways

  • The Supreme Court held that IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs (decision issued Feb. 20, 2026), invalidating a swath of Trump-era emergency tariffs and triggering a wave of importer refund litigation. (scotusblog.com)
  • Refunds are likely to be claim-driven and procedurally complex—importers may need to file protests/entry corrections and, in some cases, sue in the U.S. Court of International Trade to force reliquidation and repayment with interest. (lawfaremedia.org)
  • BASF says its direct exposure is limited because most products it sells in the U.S. are produced domestically; any reimbursement upside hinges on what BASF Corporation actually paid on imported inputs and whether claims were preserved. (marketbeat.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is BASF considering a tariff reimbursement claim?
BASF said it may pursue reimbursement of import tariffs after the U.S. Supreme Court quashed many of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
What did BASF CEO Markus Kamieth say about pursuing legal action?
He said that if the regulatory change results in a legal title for BASF Corporation, BASF has a fiduciary duty to pursue the claim.
Has BASF determined whether its U.S. unit has a legal claim?
No. Kamieth said the internal assessment is ongoing and the outcome is unclear.
How significant are import duties to BASF’s U.S. business, according to the CFO?
Finance Chief Dirk Elvermann said most products sold in the United States were made there, strongly limiting any direct impact from import duties.

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