Consumers sue Amazon for not refunding Trump tariff costs

A proposed class action filed in Seattle alleges that Amazon collected hundreds of millions of dollars in unlawful tariff costs by raising prices on imported goods before the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump had overstepped his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose the tariffs. The Supreme Court concluded in a 6-3 decision that the tariffs were unlawful, prompting thousands of companies to seek billions in refunds from the government. However, Amazon has not refunded consumers, which the lawsuit claims was not due to a lack of legal basis but to a desire to curry favor with Mr. Trump. The lawsuit asserts claims of unjust enrichment and violation of Washington state's consumer-protection law. It notes that unlike companies that imported goods, consumers are not eligible to seek tariff refunds from the government for the higher costs they incurred. The lawsuit also points to political motives, citing an April 2025 report that Amazon was considering displaying how much of a product's cost came from the IEEPA tariffs, which prompted Mr. Trump to call Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos to complain.

(Source：The Hindu)