Costco is now one of the largest companies suing the Trump administration over tariffs, seeking refunds if the Supreme Court declares the import duties illegal.
The Supreme Court is weighing the legality of President Trump’s tariffs on nearly all imports; justices appeared skeptical during last month’s oral arguments. Lower courts had previously found that Trump had improperly used emergency economic powers to impose most of the new levies.
Dozens of companies across industries have filed suits to recover duties if the tariffs are struck down, including Revlon, Bumble Bee and Kawasaki. Marc Busch, a trade law expert at Georgetown University, said big companies are beginning to join litigation that small firms mostly led, calling it “nice to finally see some heavyweights joining in the fray.”
In its suit filed with the U.S. Court of International Trade, Costco did not specify how much it has paid in tariffs. The retailer warned that even if the Supreme Court unravels the tariff regime, it may not be able to recoup all the money it has paid.
Costco executives said in May that roughly one-third of what the company sells in the U.S. is imported, mainly nonfood items.
NPR’s Scott Horsley contributed to this report.