Grupo Bimbo Challenges U.S. Tariffs in Trade Lawsuit

Most bread and baked goods sold by Bimbo in the U.S. manufactured domestically

In December, Grupo Bimbo filed a lawsuit in the United States with the U.S. Court of International Trade (USCIT) in New York, challenging import tariffs imposed by the current administration (in February 2025). The company argues that these tariffs were applied unconstitutionally under the pretext of an “economic emergency.”

Who is Grupo Bimbo?
Grupo Bimbo is one of the world’s largest baking companies, with a significant footprint in the U.S. through Bimbo Bakeries USA, which operates 43 brands and approximately 60 bakeries.

Most of the bread and baked goods sold by Bimbo in the U.S. are manufactured domestically, and the company sources the majority of its wheat from U.S. suppliers, including Ardent Mills LLC, ADM Milling & Baking Solutions, and Grain Craft.

Tariff Impact
Less than 10% of Bimbo’s U.S. revenue comes from imports from Mexico, meaning the financial impact of the tariffs is relatively small. However, the lawsuit seeks reimbursement for all 25% tariffs paid since February 2025, when the U.S. administration imposed duties on goods imported from Mexico and Canada that were not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Legal Grounds
The filing was made on behalf of Grupo Bimbo and several subsidiaries, including Bimbo Bakeries USA, Bimbo Bakehouse, Barcel USA LLC, and St. Pierre Groupe LLC. The challenge is based on federal statutory law and the U.S. Constitution.

In May, the USCIT ruled that the president does not have 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 review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Why This Matters
While the direct financial impact on Bimbo is limited, the case could set a precedent for how future administrations use emergency powers to impose tariffs.

For agribusiness companies and farmers, the outcome may influence trade stability and supply chain costs.