Nike Sued for Double-Dipping on Trump-Era Tariff Refunds

Nike is facing a federal class-action lawsuit over its handling of tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. The sportswear giant is accused of trying to double-dip on tariff costs by both passing them onto consumers and seeking refunds from the government after the Supreme Court ruled the tariffs unlawful.

According to court filings from May 2026, Nike raised prices starting in June 2025 to offset the impact of tariffs authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These tariffs, imposed during the Trump administration, were struck down by the Supreme Court earlier this year, opening the door for companies to claim refunds on the costs they incurred.

But plaintiffs argue Nike did not actually bear the full burden of these tariffs because it had already increased consumer prices to cover them. Now, by pursuing refunds from the federal government, Nike stands to recoup the same costs twice — once from shoppers and again from taxpayers.

Court documents reveal Nike executives warned of a tariff hit exceeding $1 billion annually and deliberately raised prices amid the tariffs. The lawsuit demands that any tariff refund money Nike receives be passed back to consumers who were overcharged.

Nike has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

This case highlights the tangled fallout from Trump’s tariff policies, which sparked economic chaos and price hikes for American consumers. It also raises questions about corporate accountability when companies shift tariff costs onto shoppers but then seek government bailouts once those tariffs are invalidated.

For consumers, this lawsuit could mean Nike is forced to refund the excess charges they paid — a rare check on corporate profiteering fueled by questionable trade policies. For the broader public, it’s another example of how Trump-era economic decisions continue to ripple through the marketplace, often benefiting corporations at the expense of everyday Americans.