Trump Sued Again

President Trump’s latest round of tariffs is facing a new legal challenge after two small businesses filed a lawsuit arguing the administration exceeded its authority by imposing broad import taxes on dozens of trading partners.

The lawsuit targets new tariffs ranging from 10 percent to 12.5 percent on goods imported from 60 countries. The administration announced the new duties as its previous tariff authority expired, relying instead on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to keep the policy in place.

The businesses behind the lawsuit contend that Section 301 was never intended to authorize sweeping tariffs across nearly all imports from dozens of nations. According to the complaint, the law requires the government to identify specific unfair trade practices by individual countries before imposing trade penalties, rather than applying broad-based import taxes.

The administration has argued the tariffs are justified following a lengthy investigation into forced labor practices overseas, which included public comments and multiple rounds of hearings. Officials say the measures are intended to address unfair trade practices that harm U.S. commerce.

The plaintiffs reject that justification, calling it a pretext for imposing tariffs that exceed the law’s limits. They also argue the U.S. Trade Representative should have made country-by-country determinations instead of issuing a broad policy covering dozens of trading partners.

The lawsuit was filed by spice importer Burlap & Barrel and luxury watch retailer Collective Horology. They are represented by the Liberty Justice Center, the same public-interest law firm that helped successfully challenge an earlier round of Trump tariffs in federal court this year.

The White House has not publicly responded to the latest legal challenge.