Japanese gaming company Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against the United States government, arguing that tariffs imposed on imported goods during the administration of Donald Trump were unlawful. The company is asking the court to refund the money it paid in tariffs, along with interest and legal costs.
The case was filed at the United States Court of International Trade and focuses on tariffs that were placed on a wide range of imported products, including electronics and components used in gaming hardware.
The duties were imposed using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a law that allows U.S. presidents to take economic actions during national emergencies.
However, Nintendo argues that the law does not authorize the president to impose sweeping import tariffs. The company’s argument gained strength after a recent decision by the Supreme Court of the United States, which ruled in February 2026 that the use of IEEPA to impose tariffs exceeded presidential authority.
Following that ruling, companies that paid the tariffs began exploring legal options to recover the money they were required to pay.
Nintendo is now asking the court to order the government to return those funds with interest, arguing that the tariffs were collected without proper legal authority.
Like many global electronics companies, Nintendo relies on manufacturing facilities in Asia for the production of its consoles and accessories.
Many of these products are then shipped to the United States, one of the company’s largest markets. The tariffs increased import costs on those goods, affecting supply chains and raising operational expenses.
Nintendo’s lawsuit is part of a broader wave of legal challenges from companies that were affected by the tariffs.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision, businesses across multiple industries, including retailers, manufacturers, and logistics firms have started filing cases seeking refunds.
Nintendo’s case will now proceed through the Court of International Trade, where judges will determine whether the tariffs were indeed imposed without legal authority and whether companies are entitled to refunds.