SUMMARY

One of the many uncertainties clouding the U.S. economic picture is tariffs — both the prospect of new ones and upcoming refunds from those struck down by the Supreme Court. Stephanie Sy speaks with Jay Foreman, CEO of the toy maker Basic Fun!, for more on his company’s efforts to claim tariff refunds.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Key Terms

tariff — a tax on imported or exported goods

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

1. When and Why did the Supreme Court strike down many of President Trump's tariffs?
2. How much money could be refunded following the Supreme Court decision?
3. Who is eligible to receive refunds?
4. What is Basic Fun! CEO Jay Foreman expecting to do with his company's refund?
5. Why are the people who spent more money on imported goods due to unconstitutional tariffs unlikely to see refunds?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

• If consumers spent more money on goods because of tariffs deemed unconstitutional, do you think it's fair that they will not get any of that money back in refunds?
• Do you think tariffs can help the U.S. economy, or only hurt it? Why do you think so?

Media literacy: Why do you think the producers of this segment chose to interview a single business owner? Who might have been impacted by tariffs that might have a different perspective on refunds?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

Read the following article on the pressures that farmers in the U.S. from tariffs and the Iran War. Then, as a class, discuss —

• How do you think these pressures on farmers are likely to impact most people in the United States?
• What action do you think the federal government can take to alleviate some of the pressure?

"Already under financial pressure, farmers squeezed further by tariffs and Iran war"

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