Kawasaki Tariff Case Takes New Twist, No Holiday in Sight

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The Ongoing Battle Over IEEPA Tariffs

Every year, from mid-November into the first week of January, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain focus on work. This period is often marked by holiday distractions, with many people mentally disengaging even if they are physically present. While this time can still produce remarkable achievements, it's undeniably an uphill battle due to the numerous distractions that come with the season. However, while some businesses scale back during this time, others continue their efforts.

Take for instance the US Court of International Trade, which has not taken a break despite the ongoing legal challenges surrounding the IEEPA tariffs. Even after the denial of the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, the court saw the filing of a fourth motion to consolidate similar cases against the IEEPA tariffs on December 22, 2025. This development highlights the growing number of companies involved in the case.

Over 100 companies have already joined through three previous consolidation motions, and now more names are being added. These include well-known entities such as Marathon Petroleum, Lavazza North America, Manscaped, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Newegg, Family Dollar, Bimbo Bakeries, Breville, Logitech, Barnes & Noble Purchasing, Toyo Tire North America, Specialized Bicycle Components, and many others.

This trend shows that the movement to consolidate these cases is gaining momentum. It’s challenging to imagine how many more motions could be filed, along with additional companies joining the effort.

The Court Halts the Process Temporarily

On December 23, 2025, the US Court of International Trade issued a stay on the case. The purpose of this stay is to "facilitate the administration of new cases that continue to be filed challenging the imposition of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)."

A stay, according to the Cornell University Legal Information Institute, is a temporary action taken by a court to pause a legal proceeding. This decision was made to allow the court to handle the new cases effectively.

The reason for this stay is tied to the ongoing Supreme Court case, V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States. The Supreme Court agreed to hear this case after the US Court of International Trade ruled in favor of V.O.S. Selections, stating that IEEPA did not authorize worldwide tariffs. The US government then appealed the case, and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals stayed the injunction pending the appeal. The Federal Circuit later agreed with the CIT's decision, prompting the US government to request an expedited review by the Supreme Court.

Now, the US Court of International Trade has paused the current case involving over 100 plaintiffs until a final, unappealable decision is made in the V.O.S. Selections, Inc. case. The court believes that once this decision is reached, it will be able to determine the next steps for resolving the new IEEPA tariff cases.

What Comes Next?

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the V.O.S. Selections, Inc. case on November 5, 2025, but has yet to issue an opinion. As of December 30, 2025, it seems unlikely that the decision will be released before the start of 2026. However, updates on this matter will be provided as they become available.

Additional Legal Challenges

Meanwhile, other legal issues continue to emerge. For example, the EV motorcycle startup Damon Motorcycles is facing another challenge: a $3.2 million lawsuit. Additionally, the Supreme Court recently instructed Utah to withdraw its public lands lawsuit, highlighting the complex nature of legal proceedings in the current climate.