Nongshim Leads Food Industry into Tariff Refund Fight as Class Actions Mount
Nongshim's U.S. subsidiary has filed the first tariff refund lawsuit from South Korea's food industry, seeking more than 4 billion won in duties paid during the Trump era, according to BigGo Finance and Businesskorea. The filing is being closely watched across the food sector, with industry observers waiting to see whether other importers follow suit, according to 파이낸셜뉴스. The case underscores the broadening reach of post-ruling litigation as companies across diverse sectors move to recover IEEPA tariff payments following the Supreme Court's February decision.
On the consumer class action front, three new lawsuits have emerged targeting major shipping and retail names. Separate class actions have been filed involving UPS, FedEx, and Peloton, according to openclassactions.com. The UPS and FedEx suits focus on tariffs paid on imported goods moved through each carrier, while the Peloton case centers on duties consumers paid on imported fitness equipment. The filing of suits against shipping giants is a notable development, as it raises questions about where liability sits in the import supply chain — with carriers, retailers, or end consumers.
On the trade diplomacy front, President Trump told reporters in Iowa that his administration is "very close" to reaching a trade agreement with Canada, saying aides have developed "the concept of a very good deal," according to The Hill. No timeline or specific terms were provided, but the statement signals continued momentum in resolving one of the administration's most prominent bilateral trade disputes. A Canada deal, if concluded, could affect the volume of future tariff refund claims tied to Canadian goods.
What to Watch: The Nongshim lawsuit sets a precedent that legal observers say could prompt a wave of similar filings from food and consumer goods importers, particularly those from South Korea and other high-tariff-affected trading partners. Watch for additional class action filings as plaintiff law firms continue to identify new product categories and defendant companies. Any progress on a U.S.-Canada trade framework could also shift the landscape for pending refund claims tied to Canadian imports, making this week's diplomatic signals worth tracking closely.
— The Tariff.news desk