Consumers might see some tariff refunds — in 2036

This Marketplace episode explores a range of economic developments, from the delayed fallout of President Trump's tariffs to the surprising resilience of U.S. manufacturing amid global uncertainty. A central theme is the slow, complex process of tariff refunds, with small business owners like Anne Robinson awaiting refunds that may not arrive for years—potentially not until 2036—due to legal challenges and bureaucratic hurdles. Legal experts explain why class action lawsuits over tariff profits are unlikely to succeed due to the difficulty of quantifying harm across diverse products and fluctuating tariff rates. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines' collapse highlights the fragility of the aviation sector amid soaring jet fuel prices, with global supply disruptions threatening summer travel. On a different note, GameStop’s unsolicited $50 billion bid to acquire eBay sparks debate over strategic synergy, with experts questioning the logic of such a mismatched acquisition. The episode also examines the hidden fiscal crisis of state tax gaps, where underreporting of income costs states billions in lost revenue, exacerbated by understaffed tax agencies and lack of data. Finally, a quirky innovation—Not A Wedding Crasher, a platform allowing people to pay to attend weddings—illustrates how new business models are emerging from personal needs and digital platforms. The episode closes with a strong defense of the integrity of U.S. economic data, debunking claims of manipulation and underscoring the economic value of public trust in statistics.