USA 🔗 Part of: Trump Administration Policies (43) · 05 Aug 2026 · 04:59 GMT ·2 min read

States Challenge Legality of New Section 301 Tariffs in Federal Court

On August 3, 2026, 25 US states filed a lawsuit at the US Court of International Trade in New York to challenge new tariffs.

NEUTRALITY 78 · BALANCED· 3 sources

DW English

On August 3, 2026, 25 US states filed a lawsuit at the US Court of International Trade in New York to challenge new tariffs. The coalition includes 23 states with Democratic governors and two with Republican governors. The levies range from 10 to 12.5 percent. They apply to 60 trading partners that account for 99 percent of US imports. The Trump administration implemented the new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Officials cited forced labor concerns as the justification. The plaintiffs argue the measures are pretextual and lack a rational basis.

Context

The current legal action follows a February 2026 Supreme Court ruling. The Court struck down tariffs the Trump administration imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Supportive perspectives

The White House maintains the tariffs are a legal exercise of executive authority. The administration designed these measures to eliminate trade practices that burden US commerce.
The administration justifies the tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. It cites concerns about forced labor in international supply chains as the primary reason for the policy.
The administration introduced these tariffs after a temporary 10-percent global levy expired. Officials describe the new measures as a replacement for that lapsed policy.
Trump spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the administration is using "lawful authority to obtain the elimination of unreasonable acts, policies and practices that burden US commerce."

Critical perspectives

A coalition of 25 states argues the Section 301 investigations served as a pretext to exert tariff power. These plaintiffs state the measures lack a rational connection to the problem of forced labor.
Tariffs apply to 60 trading partners. These nations account for 99 percent of all US imports.
Small businesses filed separate legal challenges against the tariffs. The companies claim the higher costs strain their operations and supply chains.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield lead the legal challenge. James stated that the administration is "once again trying to illegally raise taxes on families and businesses." The plaintiffs ask the court to stop the tariff implementation and order government refunds.