Costco Sues Trump Administration Over Import Tariffs

Costco Wholesale, the nation's largest warehouse club chain, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of broad import tariffs imposed under emergency powers and seeking refunds for duties already paid on its imported goods.

The complaint, lodged on November 28 in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, argues that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA, to enact the tariffs. The law, designed to address national emergencies involving unusual threats to security, foreign policy or the economy, does not explicitly authorize tariffs or equivalent measures, according to the filing. Costco contends that imposing such duties falls under Congress's constitutional power to regulate commerce and taxation, not the executive branch. The company requests a court order to declare the tariffs unlawful, halt further collections and mandate refunds, including interest, for all duties paid.

The tariffs in question stem from executive actions announced on April 2, which targeted imports from more than 100 countries, including major suppliers like China, Mexico and...