Benoit Tessier/REUTERS
- Costco filed a lawsuit to recover tariff payments imposed by the Trump administration.
- The retailer challenged tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- Costco is seeking a full refund of duties paid.
Costco is suing the government to recover tariff money.
The wholesale retailer has filed a lawsuit against the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection agency, and Rodney S. Scott, the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection.
The suit asks the US Court of International Trade to strike down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump by executive order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
In a complaint submitted Friday, November 28, the retailer said it is seeking a “full refund” of duties it paid after Trump used the emergency-powers law to levy what he described as “reciprocal” tariffs.
The complaint cited a previous lawsuit, VOS Selections, Inc. vs. Trump, filed against the Trump administration, for which the US Supreme Court heard arguments in early November.
“This separate action is necessary, however, because even if the IEEPA duties and underlying executive orders are held unlawful by the Supreme Court, importers that have paid IEEPA duties, including Plaintiff, are not guaranteed a refund for those unlawfully collected tariffs in the absence of their own judgment and judicial relief,” the complaint reads.
Costco, the White House, and the US Customs and Border Protection agency did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
