Hormel Foods has sued United States Customs and Border Protection and the federal government in the U.S. Court of International Trade, seeking refunds of tariffs it paid under trade measures imposed by President Donald Trump last year.
Hormel arguezs the tariffs were unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA, which the company said does not authorize presidents to levy import duties.
Hormel said it paid the duties as an importer of record on merchandise subject to the tariffs and sought a court order declaring the tariffs unlawful and requiring the government to refund all IEEPA duties it has already paid, along with interest.
The company based in Austin, Minnesota, said the lawsuit was necessary because it was unclear whether importers would automatically receive refunds even if higher courts ultimately agree the tariffs were unlawful.
Hormel also said entries subject to the duties would soon begin to liquidate, potentially making the tariff payments final without judicial relief.
