Wholesale giant Costco is suing the Trump administration, seeking a full refund of import duties the company says it was forced to pay under new tariffs this year. As the legal battle plays out, some New Jersey shoppers say they’re already feeling the impact of rising prices.
“I find that the prices, in all the food stores, are just climbing every week — it just goes up and up, it makes it very difficult for families,” Costco shopper Judy O'Hagen says.
Costco has said that about one-third of the products it sells in the United States are imported. If the Supreme Court rules the tariffs were illegal in an existing case before the court, the retailer is seeking back payment on the duties.
But not everyone is siding with the wholesaler.
“I think tariffs overall are great for the country as a whole, and I think Costco should just manage their business like everyone else is managing their business, and let the chips fall where they do,” said shopper Larry Timinsky.
Costco has not disclosed how much it has already paid in duties, and there is no indication yet of how a potential refund would be issued.