Nintendo of America has filed suit against the US government over tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, arguing they were unlawfully implemented under emergency powers.
The complaint, lodged on Friday in the US Court of International Trade, seeks refunds with interest for duties collected on imported consoles and accessories.
The Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier tariffs on 20 February, ruling he could not invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977.
Still, Trump vowed to impose new 15 percent tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. That move has already triggered lawsuits from two dozen states and more than 1,000 companies, including Costco and FedEx.
Nintendo’s filing names multiple federal agencies, including Treasury, Homeland Security, Commerce, and Customs and Border Protection, accusing them of administering “unlawful trade measures” that have generated more than $200 billion in duties. Judge Richard Eaton has ruled companies are entitled to refunds, but Customs says it cannot yet comply, estimating a system could be operational within 45 days.
The timing of the tariffs hit Nintendo hard as it prepared to launch the Switch 2 console in 2025. Preorders were delayed, accessories saw price hikes, and production was shifted from China to Vietnam to offset costs. Despite the disruption, the console itself launched at $449.99 as planned.
Nintendo confirmed the lawsuit but declined further comment, while the broader legal battle over Trump’s tariff strategy continues to unfold in the Court of International Trade.
