The companies that make up BYD’s US operations have filed a lawsuit against tariffs paid so far.
BYD has challenged the US Government over tariffs put in place by the Trump administration.
While BYD doesn’t sell passenger cars in the US, the company has already established businesses including buses and commercial vehicles, solar panels, batteries and related energy storage systems.
The suit, filed with the US Court of International Trade, challenges the US Government’s tariffs, enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The four BYD companies that have filed the suit (BYD America, BYD Coach & Bus, BYD Energy, and BYD Motors) are seeking a full refund of IEEPA duties paid, including interest.
BYD’s suit alleges that “the text of IEEPA does not employ the word ‘tariff’ or any term of equivalent meaning.”
BYD’s lawsuit joins that of a range of other companies taking similar legal action against tariffs imposed during President Trump’s second term in office.
Other lawsuits have been filed by companies including Alcoa, BorgWarner, Costco Wholesale, Goodyear, Kawasaki, Toyota, and Yokohama.
BYD’s lawsuit challenges nine executive orders and their related amendments, issued since February 2025.
The suit includes border tariffs specifically levied at products imported from China, tariffs levied against products from Mexico, Canada, India, and Brazil, along with ‘reciprocal’ and ‘retaliatory’ tariffs.
BYD’s case, along with other similar suits, is currently being held under a Stay Order to avoid inconsistent rulings for the thousands of lawsuits currently being heard across the USA.
BYD currently operates facilities within the USA at Rancho Dominguez and Lancaster, California, making forklifts and buses, but relies on imported parts from both China and other international BYD facilities.
The suit also potentially opens the door to BYD expanding its operations in the United States, and could be a landmark moment for introducing Chinese car brands into the US market.
Trump has previously highlighted Chinese cars as a threat to the US automotive industry, but has also said that Chinese cars built in the US would be welcomed.
Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
