by Mexico News Daily
Grupo Bimbo, one of the world’s largest baking companies, has filed a lawsuit in the United States challenging the import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, arguing that they were applied unconstitutionally under the pretext of an “economic emergency.”
The lawsuit was filed on December 16 with the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) in New York by Grupo Bimbo and several of its subsidiaries, including Bimbo Bakeries USA, Bimbo Bakehouse, Barcel USA LLC, and St. Pierre Groupe LLC. The filing seeks reimbursement for all tariffs already paid, although it does not specify the total amount being claimed.
Specifically, the lawsuit challenges the 25% tariffs imposed in February on goods imported from Mexico and Canada that are not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The measures were part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to pressure both countries on immigration enforcement and trade balance issues.
Bimbo’s legal challenge is grounded in federal statutory law and the U.S. Constitution. In May, the USCIT ruled that the president does not have the authority to impose broad-based tariffs under either the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) or the National Emergencies Act (NEA). That ruling was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and is now awaiting final review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
A definitive decision by the nation’s highest court could reshape the balance of power between the executive branch and the legal framework governing international trade, potentially setting a precedent for future tariff disputes.
Bimbo in the U.S. market
Bimbo maintains a substantial presence in the United States, operating 43 brands and approximately 60 bakeries through Bimbo Bakeries USA. This localized production structure means that most of the bread and baked goods sold by the company in the U.S. are manufactured domestically.
According to company statements, less than 10% of Bimbo’s U.S. revenue comes from imports from Mexico, limiting the direct impact of the tariffs. Even so, the company’s North American sales have faced challenges, declining 5% in the third quarter to 47.47 billion pesos ($2.57 billion).
Bimbo attributes this downturn to shifts in U.S. consumer behavior, with shoppers increasingly polarized between seeking lower prices and favoring premium products amid broader economic pressures.
With reporting from Food Business News and Vanguardia.
In other non-related news:
At least five dead after Mexican Navy plane crashes during medical mission near Galveston
At least five people were killed after a Mexican Navy aircraft crashed near Galveston, Texas, on Monday while carrying out a medical mission. The plane was transporting a child with severe burn injuries along with members of a nonprofit medical organization.
The flight was conducted on behalf of the Michou and Mau Foundation, an organization that provides specialized care to Mexican children suffering from life-threatening burns. According to the Mexican Navy, eight people were on board: four Navy officers and four civilians, including the child. Two of the civilian passengers were affiliated with the foundation.
U.S. Coast Guard petty officer Luke Baker initially reported that at least five people on board had died, though the identities of the victims were not immediately released. Mexico’s Navy later confirmed that one person remains missing and that two others were rescued alive.
Flight-tracking data from Flight Radar shows the aircraft was last recorded at 3:01 p.m. local time over Galveston Bay, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of Houston. Air traffic controllers reportedly lost communication with the plane approximately ten minutes before the crash, according to The Associated Press.
Videos shared with AP show aircraft debris floating in the water as rescue crews worked amid dense fog near Scholes International Airport. Following the crash, search and rescue operations were launched in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Sky Decker, a professional yacht captain who lives near the crash site, said he transported two police officers to the scene and later located a severely injured woman trapped in the submerged aircraft. Authorities were able to rescue her shortly afterward.
It remains unclear whether the heavy fog contributed to the accident. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.
In a statement, the Michou and Mau Foundation expressed its deepest condolences to the affected families and reaffirmed its commitment to providing compassionate and dignified care to children with severe burns.
With information from BBC News, NPR, and The Associated Press.
