Costco sues Trump administration for 'full refund' of tariffs

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete December 2, 2025 at 04:40 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Costco is suing the U.S. government in the U.S. Court of International Trade, seeking a full refund of tariffs paid under President Trump's "emergency" powers. The lawsuit, filed ahead of a 2025 deadline, argues that the tariffs were illegal and harmed Costco's business. This action comes as the Supreme Court considers the legality of Trump's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Costco fears it won't receive refunds even if the Supreme Court rules against the tariffs, as lower courts already have. The suit highlights the potential economic consequences of the Supreme Court's decision, with importers having paid approximately $90 billion in IEEPA-related tariffs. The Trump administration argues the tariffs are lawful and crucial for negotiations and revenue.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States ×350% International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ×260% Donald Trump ×370% Costco ×480%

Keywords

tariffs 100% costco 90% refund 80% import duties 80% supreme court 70% lawsuit 70% emergency powers 60% congressional approval 50% international emergency economic powers act (ieepa) 50% trade 40%