Patriot Brief
What Happened: Costco sued the federal government to stop Trump’s emergency tariffs and reclaim duties it paid on foreign imports.
Why It Matters: Corporations reliant on cheap overseas goods are scrambling as Trump’s America-First trade pressure continues shaping policy.
Bottom Line: Costco’s lawsuit is about profit protection, not patriotism — and the Supreme Court’s ruling will determine whether tariffs remain a powerful tool against unfair global trade.
Costco is taking the federal government to court over President Trump’s emergency tariffs, but the retail giant’s lawsuit highlights a familiar pattern: big corporations pushing back when America finally stands up to China and ends decades of one-sided trade deals.
RETAIL REVOLT: The wholesale giant is suing the federal government to strike down President Trump’s emergency tariffs and recover funds the retailer says it was improperly required to pay on imported goods. pic.twitter.com/FtFHlVigSB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 2, 2025
The lawsuit, filed in the Court of International Trade, argues that Trump used an emergency-powers statute to impose tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, Canada, and other nations. Costco claims the law does not allow tariff creation. What the company does not mention is why Trump took action in the first place — to stop China’s predatory trade practices, protect American workers, and rebuild industries global corporations were happy to offshore.
Costco says it has been paying the duties all year and fears a looming deadline on December 15, when the government will begin “liquidating” import entries, locking in the tariff amounts permanently. The retailer is pushing the panic button because one of its import entries has already been finalized, and more are close behind.
The company wants the courts to strike down the tariff orders, block Customs and Border Protection from applying them to its shipments, and refund all duties already paid. In other words, they want America to foot the bill while they continue relying on foreign suppliers.
Costco is not alone. Multiple companies benefiting from cheap imports are challenging Trump’s emergency tariffs. But while they complain about “cost increases,” they ignore how Trump used tariffs as leverage to force trade partners back to the table and defend American industries hollowed out by globalization.
Lower courts have questioned how emergency powers apply to tariffs, and the Supreme Court heard arguments last month. But Costco’s rush to court is more about protecting its bottom line than protecting American manufacturing.
Trump’s tariffs helped rebalance the playing field after decades of disastrous trade policy. Now, as the Supreme Court weighs the issue, the question is simple: will America stand firm against unfair trade practices, or will multinational corporations run the show again?
