US Supermarket Chain Sues Trump Administration Over "Reciprocal Tariffs"

　　 Xinhua News Agency, New York, December 1 (Reporter Shi Chun) – The US large supermarket chain Costco recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, demanding that the court declare all so-called "reciprocal tariffs" levied under the US International Emergency Economic Powers Act as illegal and seek a "full refund" of the tariffs, becoming the latest large enterprise to pursue tariff refunds through legal channels.

　　 NBC reported on December 1 that in the lawsuit filed with the US Court of International Trade on November 28, Costco argued that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not explicitly authorize the US President to set tariffs. "Therefore, the executive orders imposing the tariffs are invalid, and the defendants (the Trump administration) lack the authority to implement and collect the tariffs."

　　 Costco's Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip said in May this year that approximately one-third of the company's sales in the US come from imported goods. The "reciprocal tariffs" have directly impacted certain fresh foods imported from Central and South America, such as pineapples and bananas.

　　 In September this year, Millerchip stated that Costco would work closely with suppliers to find ways to mitigate the impact of tariffs, including relocating production to more suitable countries and integrating procurement globally to reduce costs.

　　 Prior to Costco, companies such as cosmetics manufacturer Revlon, eyewear producer EssilorLuxottica, and motorcycle manufacturer Kawasaki have also filed similar lawsuits, challenging the legality of the Trump administration's tariff policies.

　　 In response to the Trump administration's introduction of a series of tariff increase measures this January, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and bypassing congressional approval through direct executive orders, the US Court of International Trade ruled in May that the move was illegal. The Trump administration subsequently appealed to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. On August 29, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling. The Trump administration then appealed to the Supreme Court, and the case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.