
Business owner who challenged tariffs responds to ruling
Clip: 2/20/2026 | 4m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
Business owner who challenged Trump's tariffs reacts to Supreme Court decision
One of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that overturned many of President Trump's tariffs is Rick Woldenberg. He's the owner of the Chicago-based small toy manufacturer, Learning Resources. Woldenberg joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the ruling and what comes next for his business.
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Business owner who challenged tariffs responds to ruling
Clip: 2/20/2026 | 4m 32sVideo has Closed Captions
One of the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that overturned many of President Trump's tariffs is Rick Woldenberg. He's the owner of the Chicago-based small toy manufacturer, Learning Resources. Woldenberg joined Geoff Bennett to discuss the ruling and what comes next for his business.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipGEOFF BENNETT: And turning now to one# of the plaintiffs from today's case,## that's Rick Woldenberg, owner of the Chicago-based# small toy manufacturer Learning Resources.
Welcome back to the "News# Hour."
Thank you for having me.
Rick, last November you told us your tariff costs# had risen sixfold, more than sixfold, in fact,## in a single year.
So what was your reaction# when you heard the Supreme Court decision today?
RICK WOLDENBERG, CEO, Learning Resources: Well,## obviously, we were very gratified to have# the support of the Supreme Court.
We felt## vindicated in our assertion that the# tax that we were paying was unlawful.
I can also tell you that it was a# demonstration of the rule of law## in action.
And so I was comforted by# the fact that I felt that the court## was impartial and applied the law as# written.
That's important to everybody.
GEOFF BENNETT: The tax, as you# describe it, the added cost,## how much of that did your company absorb and# how much did you have to pass on to customers?
RICK WOLDENBERG: Well, it's# an interesting question.
I took a look at it.
And our tax rate, federal# plus state, plus IEEPA tariffs, .. of 100 percent last year.
And so you can't stay# in business if you make a dollar and you pay more## than a dollar in taxes.
You will eventually# have no dollars.
So we had to pass it on.
And that tells you exactly why other# companies had to pass it on too.
You## can't have a marginal tax rate that is# greater than your earnings.
So we passed## on some of it.
We passed on as little as we# felt we could manage.
And in heading into '26,## we already decided we were going to win# the case.
And so we decided to treat our## financials as if we weren't going to pay# tariffs, and we didn't raise our prices.
So we're actively trying to average our price# down to where we think it would have been.
GEOFF BENNETT: The president today, in# railing against the Supreme Court, announced a## 10 percent global tariff.
So, in practical terms,# what actually changes for your business tomorrow?
RICK WOLDENBERG: Well, at least our tax rate went# down, because most companies -- most countries## were being taxed at 18, 19, or 20 percent.# And when I say the countries were being taxed,## I mean we were being taxed to the# tune of 18 or 19 or 20 percent.
So now, at 10 percent, that's about a reduction# in half.
It didn't go to zero.
And 122,## Section 122 can only impose a tax for five months.# So I guess we will see what happens after that.
GEOFF BENNETT: As we were discussing earlier,# the court in striking down these tariffs didn't## spell out what happens to the revenue already# collected.
What's your hope and expectation?
RICK WOLDENBERG: Well, they did say# that the law does not provide for## tariffs.
So the tariffs were# unlawful when imposed.
That## means that the government took money# from us they had no right to take.
And just like paying too much in taxes, they have# to give it back with interest.
That's what the law## provides.
So it was never anyone's expectation,# I don't think, that the Supreme Court would## fashion a remedy.
They will send it down.# But having -- for the remedy to be created.
But they also said quite clearly these tariffs## were collected unlawfully.
That# means they have to be returned.
GEOFF BENNETT: And lastly, Rick, I'm not sure# if you were watching the press conference with## the president today, but he resorted to# name-calling when talking about you and## the other plaintiffs.
I won't repeat what he# said, harsh language, choice words, to be sure.
I wonder if you have a response to that.
RICK WOLDENBERG: Somebody told me he said# I was good-looking.
He didn't say that?
(LAUGHTER) RICK WOLDE.. fingers.
And I have not allowed our# case to become political.
So I don't## have to take the position that we are# against an individual like Mr.
Trump.
We were against the misapplication of law, and# that's what we said.
And so I'm not sure that## any reply is necessary.
We are companies# located in Chicago.
We make educational## products that go into schools and homes.
I# don't know why anyone would be angry at us.
GEOFF BENNETT: Rick Woldenberg, owner of the# small toy manufacturer Learning Resources,## thanks again for joining us.
RICK WOLDENBERG: Thank you.
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