Nintendo Sues US Government for Refund of Trump's Illegal Tariffs
Filing demands prompt repayment with interest after Supreme Court ruled IEEPA tariffs unlawful
The complaint, first reported by Aftermath, comes after the Supreme Court found that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to levy "reciprocal" tariffs was unlawful. The court did not, however, specify how refunds to affected importers should work — leaving companies to pursue their own legal remedies.
Nintendo's timing is notable. The company announced Switch 2 launch details, including an April 9 preorder date, on the same day Trump originally announced the broad tariff plans. The tariffs would have significantly increased the cost of importing gaming hardware from Japan.
The lawsuit joins a growing wave of legal challenges to Trump's trade policies. Twenty-four states have separately sued to block the administration's 10 percent global tariff, and US Customs and Border Protection acknowledged this week that it is not yet able to reimburse the $166 billion in tariff costs collected from more than 330,000 importers.
Analysis
Why This Matters
This is one of the highest-profile corporate lawsuits seeking tariff refunds and could set precedent for how the $166 billion in collected duties gets returned. Gaming hardware prices were directly affected by the tariffs.
Background
Trump imposed sweeping tariffs using emergency powers in early 2025. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA-based tariffs as exceeding presidential authority, but the mechanics of refunding hundreds of billions in collected duties remain unresolved.
Key Perspectives
Nintendo is far from the only company seeking refunds, but its brand recognition makes this case particularly visible. The US customs agency's admission that it cannot yet process refunds suggests a long legal and bureaucratic process ahead.
What to Watch
Whether other major tech and gaming companies file similar suits, and how the Court of International Trade handles the flood of refund claims. The customs agency's timeline for establishing a refund process will be critical.