Costco's legal action against Trump prompts Mike Pence to express common concerns about increasing prices

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence publicly backed Costco after the retail corporation sued the Trump administration seeking reimbursement for tariffs imposed on imported products. In a post shared on X, Pence wrote, American companies and American consumers pay the cost of American tariffs. Free trade with free nations.

Costco, currently the third-largest retailer in the United States, filed its complaint with the Court of International Trade last week. The suit challenges former President Donald Trumps use of authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to introduce broad tariffs affecting goods from more than 100 foreign markets. The company is demanding a complete return of duties already paid, claiming Trump exceeded the legal scope of his power.

According to the Treasury Department, tariff revenue reached $195 billion in the 2025 fiscal year an increase of 50% compared to 2024. Costco states in its court filing, cited by NBC News, that because IEEPA does not explicitly grant the president the power to set tariffs, the current tariff orders should be declared invalid and collection halted.

White House representative Kush Desai responded, asserting that reversing Trumps tariff measures would have enormous economic consequences, and argued that Costcos case highlights the importance of maintaining the established policy.

Pence has long opposed tariffs introduced under Trump, deepening the divide between the former running mates. He has maintained that the president acted beyond constitutional limits, expressing hope that the Supreme Court which is currently reviewing the policy will overturn the tariff authority. Ultimately, American businesses and American consumers pay American tariffs, he said during a speech on November 5.

Recent polling indicates that concern over tariffs and price increases is rising nationwide. A CBS News/YouGov survey from November shows 58% of Americans feel prices have climbed in recent weeks, and 65% attribute higher grocery costs to Trump-era policies. Only 32% described the national economy as healthy.

Pence linked voter anxiety over inflation and tariffs to Democratic victories in recent elections. Exit polls reported by NBC News show that in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City where Democrats swept major contests most voters listed the economy and cost of living as their top issues. Trump previously lost New Jersey and Virginia by under six percentage points in 2024, yet Democrats expanded their margins significantly in the most recent cycle.

When you look at shifts in traditionally Republican regions of New Jersey and Virginia, its clear voters are worried about grocery prices and the inflation tied to tariff-driven industrial policy, Pence stated.

Author: Zoe Harrison