By Zoe Tillman and Jaewon Kang, Bloomberg News

Costco Wholesale Corp. joined a fast-growing list of businesses suing the Trump administration to ensure eligibility for refunds if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the president’s signature global tariffs policy.

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The nation’s biggest warehouse club chain is among dozens of companies to file lawsuits in a U.S. trade court since late October challenging President Donald Trump’s use of an economic emergency powers law to impose the levies, according to court records. It’s one of the biggest corporate players to jump into a fight largely driven this year by small businesses and Democratic state officials.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Trump’s tariffs on Nov. 5. The justices put the fight on a fast-tracked schedule but didn’t say when they intend to rule. In the meantime, businesses of all sizes have brought cases pressing similar legal claims with the goal of avoiding uncertainty about their eligibility for refunds if the court rules against Trump.

Costco’s lawyers wrote that the complaint, filed on Nov. 28 in the U.S. Court of International Trade, was prompted due to the uncertainly that refunds will be guaranteed for all businesses that have been paying duties if the Supreme Court declares the tariffs unlawful.

The lawsuit doesn’t specify how much Trump’s tariffs have cost the company to date.

Costco argues that it needs a court intervention immediately because Customs and Border Protection denied its request to extend the schedule for finalizing tariff determinations under Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The company says that could jeopardize its ability to seek full refunds in the future.

Costco didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement that, “The economic consequences of the failure to uphold President Trump’s lawful tariffs are enormous and this suit highlights that fact. The White House looks forward to the Supreme Court’s speedy and proper resolution of this matter.”

Skeptical Justices

During arguments before the Supreme Court last month, key justices appeared skeptical of Trump’s tariffs, which have generated tens of billions of dollars a month. Lower federal courts ruled against the administration in a handful of lawsuits filed early on, but judges have allowed the government to enforce the tariffs until the Supreme Court issues its decision.

Other household names to bring tariff lawsuits in recent weeks include cosmetics giant Revlon Consumer Products Corp. and motorcycle maker Kawasaki Motors Manufacturing Corp.

The expansive, fast-changing tariff policies have disrupted the retail sector this year, threatening to raise prices of goods and hamper the purchasing power of U.S. consumers who are already cautious following years of inflation.

The impact has been more muted than expected due to exemptions and changes in rates after negotiations, though some items such as electronics and apparel are more expensive compared to a year ago. While retailers have warned that they continue to see higher costs, many big operators have not pursued lawsuits like Costco — making it an outlier.

Costco has said it’s working to mitigate tariffs, which primarily affect its non-food items. It has rerouted some products to non-U.S. markets, ordered more inventory early to get ahead of the levies and purchased from fewer suppliers by consolidating buying. When items get too expensive, it’s changing merchandising altogether.

“We’re doing everything we can,” Chief Financial Officer Gary Millerchip said in an interview with Bloomberg News earlier this year. “Whether that’s working with the suppliers to find efficiencies to offset the impact of tariffs, or whether it’s sourcing with them often to different countries.”

For example, Costco said in May that it kept steady prices of pineapples and bananas imported from Central and South America because they are important items to customers. At the same time, it increased prices of flowers sourced from the region because they are less of a necessity to shoppers.

The club chain said its big size and limited assortment — its stores carry a couple thousand items versus over 100,000 for some big-box retailers — give it a leg-up when navigating tariffs. Still, it’s difficult to predict what will happen to prices, company executives said.

The case is Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Customs and Border Protection, 1:25-cv-316, U.S. Court of International Trade.

©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By ELAINE KURTENBACH, AP Business Writer

BANGKOK (AP) — Behind the hoopla over the promise of artificial intelligence lay difficult realities, including how such technology might affect people already disadvantaged in a data-driven world.

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A new report by the United Nations Development Program notes most of the gains from AI are likely to be reaped by wealthy nations unless steps are taken to use its power to help close gaps in access to basic needs, as well as such advanced know-how.

The report released Tuesday likens the situation to the “Great Divergence” of the industrial revolution, when many Western countries saw rapid modernization while others fell behind.

Questions over how companies and other institutions will use AI are a near universal concern given its potential to change or replace some jobs done by people with computers and robots.

But while much of the attention devoted to AI focuses on productivity, competitiveness and growth, the more important question is what it will mean for human lives, the authors note.

“We tend to overemphasize the role of technology,” said Michael Muthukrishna of the London School of Economics, the report’s main author, told reporters. “We need to ensure it’s not technology first, but it’s people first,” he said, speaking by video at the report’s launch in Bangkok.

The risk of exclusion is an issue for communities where most people are still struggling to access skills, electric power and internet connectivity, for older people, for people displaced by war, civil conflict and climate disasters. At the same time, such people may be “invisible” in data that will not take them into account, the report said.

“As a general-purpose technology, AI can lift productivity, spark new industries, and help latecomers catch up,” the report says.

Better advice on farming, analysis of X-rays within seconds and faster medical diagnoses, more effective weather forecasts and damage assessments hold promise for rural communities and areas prone to natural disasters.

“AI systems that analyze poverty, health, and disaster risks enable faster, fairer, and more transparent decisions, turning data into continuous learning and public value,” it says.

Still, even in wealthy nations like the United States, the potential for data centers to devour too large a share of electricity and water has raised concerns. Ramping up power generation to meet higher demand may hinder progress in limiting the emissions of carbon from burning fossil fuels that contribute to global warming, while also causing health hazards.

The technology raises ethical, privacy and cybersecurity concerns: researchers have found hackers using AI to automate portions of cyberattacks. There also is the problem of deepfakes that can misinform or facilitate criminal activity.

Asian nations including China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are well placed to take advantage of AI tools, the report notes, while places like Afghanistan, the Maldives and Myanmar lack skills, reliable power and other resources needed to tap into the computing potential of AI. Inequalities between regions within countries mean some places even in advanced economies are prone to be left behind.

About a quarter of the Asia-Pacific region lacks online access, the report says.

If such gaps are not closed, many millions may be excluded from the kinds of devices, digital payment systems, digital IDs and education and skills that are required to participate fully in the global economy, falling further behind, said Philip Schellekens, the UNDP’s chief economist for the Asia Pacific.

Other risks include misinformation and disinformation, surveillance that violates rights to privacy and systems that can act as “black boxes,” reinforcing biases against minorities or other groups. So transparency and effective regulations are crucial guardrails for ensuring AI is used in fair and accountable ways, he said.

“We believe we need more balance, less hysteria and hype,” Schellekens said.

AI is becoming essential for modern life, like electricity, roads, and now the internet, so governments need to invest more in digital infrastructure, education and training, fair competition and social protections, the report says.

“The goal,” it says, “is to democratize access to AI so that every country and community can benefit while protecting those most at risk from disruption.”

The Gophers football program has 31 high school commitments for the 2026 recruiting class. They can start signing with the U once the early window opens Wednesday morning.

The U’s class ranks 24th in the nation and seventh in the 18-team Big Ten Conference as of Tuesday morning, according to 247 Sports composite score on Tuesday morning.

RELATED: Six takeaways on Gophers’ top-25 recruiting class

Here’s a rundown of who’s in the U’s incoming class:

Four-star prospects

DL — Howie Johnson, Forest Lake, 6-3, 255
DL — Aaden Aytch, Lafayette, Ind., 6-4, 230
TE — Roman Voss, Jackson, 6-4, 225
RB — Ryan Estrada, El Paso, Texas, 5-9, 195
OT — Andrew Trout, Cold Spring, 6-6, 295

Three-star prospects

CB — Justin Hopkins, Nashville, 5-10, 180
OT — Aaron Thomas, Phoenix, 6-7, 300
OT — Gavin Meier, Janesville, Wis., 6-6, 300
WR — Rico Blassingame, Tolleson, Ariz., 6-1, 170
LB — Hudson Dunn, Peoria, Ariz., 6-1, 210
ATH — Lamont Hamilton, Racine, Wis., 6-0, 170
WR — Quayd Hendryx, Atco, N.J., 5-11, 175
DL — Anthony Charles, McDonald, Pa., 6-5, 200
DL — KJ Henson, Glen Burnie, Md., 6-3, 290
S — Jordan Lampkins, Bolingbrook, Ill., 6-0, 180
TE — Gabe Weaver, St. Louis, 6-5, 220
S — Tavian White, Waukee, Iowa, 6-0, 175
LB — Angel Luciano, Stilton, Pa., 6-1, 225
CB — Chance Payne, Jefferson, Ga., 5-10, 175
WR — Hayden Moore, Newberry, Fla., 6-1, 190
QB — Owen Lansu, Downers Grove, Ill., 6-1, 185
RB — Ezekiel Bates, Malvern, Pa., 5-11, 220
QB — Brady Palmer, San Diego, 6-2, 200
DL — Josiah Anyansi, Murrieta, Calif., 6-3, 260
OT — Lucas Tielsch, Akron, Ohio, 6-7, 320
IOL — Beckett Schreiber, Madison, Wis., 6-5, 280
WR — Braiden Stevens, Platte City, Mo., 5-8, 165
RB — Niko Castillo, Schuylkill Haven, Pa., 6-1, 235
S — Trason Richardson, Rosharon, Texas, 6-0, 180
TE — Greg Kohl, Ellsworth, Wis., 6-6, 230
DL — Jeremiah Benson, West Bloomfield, Mich., 6-3, 265

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The overall rank of the Gophers football program’s 2026 recruiting class is strong: 24th in the nation, per 247Sports composite ranking as of Tuesday morning.

“A top 25 class, especially in this day and age where there’s all kinds of moving parts, I think is really, really good,” Allen Trieu, an analyst for 247Sports, told the Pioneer Press. “Minnesota is, I know, involved a little bit in NIL, but not really to the level of some of these other schools.

Minnesota Gophers head coach PJ Fleck gives fans the thumbs up after the Gophers’ 31-28 victory over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in a NCAA football game at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

“So, I think to be able to recruit without doing that and have a top 25 class just tells you the job that the staff can do. (Head coach) P.J. Fleck always had that ability to recruit. That stands out right away.”

Minnesota’s class has 31 total commits, which is tied for fourth most in the nation, behind Bill Belichick’s rebuilding job at North Carolina (39), West Virginia (35) and the top-ranked overall class, Southern Cal (34). The U is tied with Wake Forest, while Georgia (30) and Miami Hurricanes (29) are next.

When factoring in average ranking per recruit, the Gophers’ class rank dips to 36th in the country.

Here are six takeaways on the Gophers class:

In-state success

The Gophers continue to bring in the best the state of Minnesota has to offer. In 2026, that includes the three of the top four ranked recruits: defensive lineman Howie Johnson of Forest Lake, tight end Roman Voss of Jackson and offensive tackle Andrew Trout of Cold Spring. Those three are among the top five overall prospects in the U’s class for next year.

RELATED: Who’s in the Gopher football top-25 ranked 2026 recruiting class?

“They’ve done a great job of protecting the state the last couple years,” Trieu said. “There’s been high-end kids who have a chance to leave the state of Minnesota.”

The second-ranked recruit in the state, Pierce Petersohn of Dodge Center, wanted to play tight end in college and that position was first promised to Voss. Petersohn then committed to Penn State, but flipped to Virginia Tech after James Franklin changed jobs.

Wins to the east

The Gophers also went into Wisconsin and took its top in-state recruit, offensive tackle Gavin Meier of Janesville, and its third-ranked recruit, athlete Lamont Hamilton of Racine.

“Going over there and winning a couple of recruiting battles and then beating Wisconsin on the field, that’s something that you have to do when you’re at the University of Minnesota,” Trieu said, including the 17-7 win over the Badgers in the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe on Saturday.

The Gophers also got offensive lineman Beckett Schreiber from Madison and tight end George Rohl of Ellsworth.

The Badgers did not gain a commitment from any Minnesota high schooler this cycle. Both schools sought Iowa Central Community College linebacker Taylor Schaefer, and the Badgers got the commitment from the Brussels, Wis. native.

Strength of class

Trieu pegged defensive line as the strongest position in the Gophers’ class. Besides Johnson, the Gophers also got four-star edge Aaden Aytch out of Lafayette, Ind.

“That’s such an important position,” Trieu said. “If you can get guys who can get to the quarterback and create some disruption, you’ve seen the success a couple of years ago. Anthony Smith was this huge recruit for them (in 2022), and you see how much of an impact guys like that can have. To get a class with, I think, several difference makers of that position is hard to do.”

Prospects who got away

The Gophers had seven recruits this cycle back out of their pledges to Minnesota, including two four-star offensive linemen: Daniel McMorris (committed to California) and Mataalii Benjamin (Utah). Receiver Kai Meza also went to Cal.

The Texas Longhorns snagged two commitments away from the U: running back Jett Walker and tight end/linebacker Charlie Jilek.

Kansas State came in and flipped two of Minnesota’s three transfer commits from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College: receiver Derick Salley and safety Michael Graham. But Hutch defensive tackle KJ Henson has stayed with the U.

Sleeper?

Defensive lineman Jeremiah Benson is considered a low three-star recruit, but the 6-foot-3, 265-pound product from West Bloomfield, Mich., might live up to his self-given “Boogeyman” nickname.

“He’s very quick and disruptive,” said Trieu, who is based in Michigan. “And I’ve seen him a couple of times. … I think our staff at 247 does a really good job, but that’s one where I think the ranking could come back and haunt us a little bit. I think he’s better than what the numbers show.”

The Hawkeyes, according to 247Sports, were making a late push to steal Benson away from Minnesota this week.

Two QBs

The Gophers have taken one quarterback in each of the last five classes. This year they are taking two, doubling down on internal development at the all-important position, while knowing it takes a lot of NIL to get a good one out of the transfer portal.

Owen Lansu of Downers Grove, Ill., committed tot Minnesota in July 2024. His senior season was interrupted by injury.

“Staff really liked him and took him early when they could have waited,” Trieu said.

Then this fall, the Gophers pursued additional QBs and got a commitment from Brady Palmer of San Diego last weekend. The three-star recruit left the Cal class after the firing of head coach Justin Wilcox.

“(Palmer has) big production and a lot of arm talent, and had a lot of schools out west looking at him,” Trieu said. “That it’ll be interesting to see how that that plays out.”

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