Let me ask you something that’s been bouncing around my head all morning: what happens when one of America’s most beloved retail giants decides to pick a very public fight with the President of the United States… and then, less than a week later, brings his former Commerce Secretary onto its board?
Because that’s exactly what just went down with Costco.
And honestly? The timing feels less like coincidence and more like the kind of chess move you only see from companies that have been around the block a few times.
A Lawsuit One Week, A Tariff War the Next
Last week, Costco did something pretty bold. They walked into federal court and essentially said: “Mr. President, those sweeping tariffs you slapped on imports this year? We want our money back. All of it. Right now.”
We’re talking serious cash here. Hundreds of millions already paid out to keep goods flowing into those massive warehouses we all love raiding on Saturdays. The retailer isn’t waiting for the Supreme Court to eventually rule on whether the tariffs were legally imposed in the first place – they want relief immediately, arguing there’s real risk the funds could disappear into the federal black hole if they wait.
It was a gutsy move. Costco isn’t exactly known for political grandstanding. They’re the company that sells $1.50 hot dogs and somehow makes shareholders rich doing it. They tend to keep their heads down and let the membership fees roll in.
So when they suddenly turn around and sue the administration? People notice.
Enter Gina Raimondo – Timing That Raises Eyebrows
Fast-forward six days.
Costco quietly announces they’re nominating none other than Gina Raimondo – yes, the very same Gina Raimondo who just finished serving as Commerce Secretary under the previous administration – to join their board of directors.
“We are very pleased to nominate Secretary Raimondo for election to our Board. Her vast experience in global business, politics and international security at the highest level will add an important dimension to our current expertise.”
– Costco Chairman Tony James
Now, on paper, this makes sense. Raimondo is sharp. She was a venture capitalist before politics, governor of Rhode Island, and spent four years steering the Commerce Department through some of the rockiest trade waters in modern history. She knows supply chains. She knows China policy. She knows Washington.
But the timing? My goodness, the timing.
You don’t have to be a conspiracy theorist to raise an eyebrow when a company sues the sitting president and then brings in someone who literally sat across the table from him in cabinet meetings.
What This Move Really Tells Us
Here’s my take – and I’ve been watching corporate governance moves for longer than I care to admit – Costco just played a masterclass in risk management.
Think about it. Tariffs aren’t just an accounting headache for a company like Costco. They’re an existential threat to the entire business model. That beautiful low-margin, high-volume engine runs on cheap imported goods. When you suddenly add 25–60% costs at the border? The math stops working real fast.
So what do you do when the policy environment turns hostile?
You don’t just lawfare (though they’re doing that too). You bring in someone who understands the machinery from the inside. Someone who has relationships across both parties. Someone who can walk into any room in DC and get a meeting.
In other words, Costco just bought itself a very expensive insurance policy. And her name is Gina Raimondo.
The Bigger Picture for Corporate America
This isn’t just about one retailer anymore.
We’re watching a fundamental shift in how large companies manage political risk. The days of staying “above the fray” are gone. When trade policy can wipe out your profit margins overnight, neutrality isn’t an option.
- Companies are building bipartisan boards like never before
- Former government officials are becoming must-have hires
- Legal challenges to executive actions are becoming routine
- Shareholders are demanding political risk strategies
I’ve spoken with governance experts who say we’re entering a new era where “Washington experience” is becoming as valuable as supply chain expertise or digital transformation knowledge. Maybe more valuable.
And Costco? They just fired the starting gun.
What Happens Next?
The Supreme Court case will drag on. The lawsuit for immediate refunds will wind through lower courts. But meanwhile, Gina Raimondo will be sitting in Costco board meetings, offering “insights” on global trade policy.
Will she help negotiate a settlement? Will she provide intelligence on how the administration thinks? Will she simply be a very well-compensated director doing her fiduciary duty?
Probably all of the above.
Either way, this is corporate America adapting in real time to a world where the White House directly impacts the bottom line more than any interest rate decision or consumer spending report.
And honestly? I can’t blame them. When your entire business model is under threat, you use every tool available.
Even if one of those tools used to sit across from the president who’s now suing you.
Welcome to 2025, folks. The intersection of politics and profits has never been more direct.
And Costco just showed everyone how to play the game.
