Finance
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 readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Quick Summary
BASF says it is assessing whether its U.S. subsidiary, BASF Corp., has a viable legal basis to seek reimbursement for import tariffs after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down many Trump-era tariffs. CFO Dirk Elvermann downplayed operational exposure, noting most BASF products sold in th
BASF Considers U.S. Lawsuit to Seek Reimbursement for Import Tariffs
Main Section
CEO Comments on Potential Legal 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 Underway
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 Editing Credits
(Reporting by Patricia WeissWriting by Ludwig , editing by Kirsti Knolle)
Key Takeaways
- •Potential one-off cash upside, but uncertain timing: BASF is still evaluating whether its U.S. unit has a legally enforceable claim; any recovery would depend on litigation and the mechanics of a refund process that the Supreme Court ruling did not spell out. (ktwb.com)
- •Limited day-to-day earnings sensitivity: Management argues tariff exposure is constrained because BASF largely supplies the U.S. market from domestic production, and the company operates major integrated manufacturing footprints in North America (e.g., Geismar and Freeport). (ktwb.com)
- •Broader corporate scramble for refunds: The ruling has triggered a wider push by companies to reclaim duties (with some, like FedEx, saying they would pass refunds back to customers), while policymakers debate whether and how consumers should be compensated. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about BASF is looking into legal claims by U.S. unit for tariff reimbursement
1Why is BASF considering a claim for tariff reimbursement in the U.S.?
BASF said it may pursue reimbursement if its U.S. subsidiary has a legal claim after the U.S. Supreme Court quashed many of President Donald Trump's tariffs.
2What did BASF CEO Markus Kamieth say about taking 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.
3Has BASF decided to sue for the tariff reimbursement?
No. Kamieth said the internal assessment is ongoing and the outcome is unclear.
4How significant is the direct impact of U.S. import duties on BASF?
Finance Chief Dirk Elvermann said most products sold in the United States are made there, strongly limiting any direct impact from import duties.
