英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Costco sues the Trump administration over tariffs（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

Costco, a large retail company, has taken legal action against the Trump administration. The company is challenging the tariffs, which are additional taxes on imported goods. These tariffs were imposed by the Trump administration and have affected many businesses, including Costco. The retailer, along with several other companies, is hoping to receive a refund for the import taxes it has already paid.

Tariffs are taxes that countries use to control the flow of goods across their borders. They can make imported goods more expensive, which can be difficult for companies that rely on these goods to sell in their stores. Costco, known for selling a wide range of products at competitive prices, argues that these tariffs are unfair and have increased their costs.

The lawsuit filed by Costco is part of a broader movement by companies seeking relief from these tariffs. Many businesses argue that the tariffs hurt their competitiveness and increase prices for consumers. The legal challenge is not just about getting a refund for past taxes but also about preventing future financial harm. If successful, Costco could set a precedent for other companies facing similar issues.

This situation highlights the complex relationship between government policies and business operations. Companies often have to adapt to changes in international trade policies, which can have significant financial implications. By taking legal action, Costco is trying to protect its business interests and maintain its ability to offer low prices to its customers.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have widespread effects on how tariffs are applied in the future. It could influence government policy and provide a pathway for other companies to challenge similar tariffs. This case underscores the importance of businesses actively engaging in legal processes to protect their interests in a global economy.

📝 Vocabulary

  • lawsuit: a legal case brought to settle a dispute between people or groups
    例文: “Costco has filed a lawsuit against the government over tariffs.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • file a lawsuit
    • settle a lawsuit
    • win a lawsuit
    訴訟
  • tariff: a tax on imports or exports
    例文: “The tariffs have increased the cost of imported goods.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • impose a tariff
    • tariff rate
    • tariff policy
    関税
  • refund: money that is given back
    例文: “Costco is seeking a refund for the tariffs it has paid.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • request a refund
    • receive a refund
    • full refund
    返金
  • import: to bring goods into a country from abroad for sale
    例文: “The tariffs have made imported goods more expensive.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • import goods
    • import tax
    • import market
    輸入
  • precedent: an earlier event that is regarded as an example or guide
    例文: “Costco’s case could set a precedent for other companies.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • set a precedent
    • legal precedent
    • historical precedent
    先例

✏️ Grammar Point

Relative Clauses – “Costco, known for selling a wide range of products at competitive prices, argues that these tariffs are unfair and have increased their costs.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
関係代名詞を使った説明

💡 使用場面

関係代名詞は、特定の名詞についてさらに詳しく説明する場合に使われます。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business presentation, you might say: ‘Our company, which was founded in 1990, has grown exponentially.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: Costco is filing a lawsuit because it wants to import more goods.
  2. MCQ: What is Costco seeking through the lawsuit?
    a) Lower tariffs
    b) A refund for tariffs paid
    c) To import more goods
    d) Higher tariffs
  3. MCQ: How might Costco’s lawsuit affect other companies?
    a) It could increase tariffs.
    b) It could limit imports.
    c) It could set a legal precedent.
    d) It could decrease competition.
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) A refund for tariffs paid
  3. c) It could set a legal precedent

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What is the main reason Costco is filing a lawsuit?
  2. Why do you think tariffs can make business operations complex?
  3. What does the word “precedent” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Costco is filing a lawsuit to challenge the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration and seek a refund for the import taxes it has already paid.
  2. Tariffs can make business operations complex because they increase the cost of imported goods, affecting company pricing and competitiveness.
  3. A precedent is an earlier event that is regarded as an example or guide.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

コストコがトランプ政権を提訴した背景には、関税による経済的負担があります。関税とは、輸入品にかかる税金であり、トランプ政権下で多くの企業が影響を受けました。この訴訟は、過去に支払った関税の返金を求めるとともに、将来的な経済的損害を防ぐことを目的としています。国内外の企業にとって、政府の貿易政策がどのように影響を及ぼすかを考える重要なケースとなるでしょう。将来的には、他の企業が同様の関税に対抗するための道筋を示す可能性もあります。

Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/12/03/nx-s1-5628405/costco-sues-the-trump-administration-over-tariffs

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