Cantor Fitzgerald Bets Against Trump Tariffs with Refund Rights Purchase
Cantor Fitzgerald, led by the sons of US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, is offering to buy rights to potential tariff refunds from companies affected by Trump-era trade policies. The financial firm proposes paying 20-30% of duties paid—a MOVE allowing investors to wager against the tariffs' legal survival.
The deal hinges on court rulings that could mandate refunds for businesses paying "Liberation Day" tariffs since April 2. This creates a secondary market for tariff risk, contrasting with Lutnick's public support for the revenue-generating policies. The commerce secretary previously claimed tariffs could eliminate income taxes for Americans earning under $150,000.