The Donald Trump administration is facing a lawsuit filed by 25 states, accusing the US President of exceeding his powers by imposing new tariffs on 60 trading partners. The states challenge the administration's justification for the fees by combating forced labor, while Washington asserts that the measures are based on Article 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Published on: 04/08/2026 - 00:16
25 US states, including two states governed by Republicans, filed a lawsuit against the administration of President Donald Trump on Monday, saying that imposing new customs duties on 60 trading partners exceeds its legal authority.
The states said in a memorandum submitted to the court that there was “no logical connection” between the administration’s problem of forced labor in international supply chains and the comprehensive tariffs imposed by the Office of the US Trade Representative.
On Friday, a new package of customs duties targeting 60 trading partners entered into force, replacing global tariffs imposed by Trump earlier this year whose term has expired.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that the United States has banned the import of goods produced with forced labor for nearly a century and strictly enforces this ban, adding that it is time for its trading partners to follow suit.
The new fees range between 10% and 12.5%, and include major economies including China, India, and the European Union, which sparked protests from Beijing and other countries.
The Trump administration rebuilt the customs tariff system after the Supreme Court invalidated in February a set of duties imposed by the US President, in a decision that limited his ability to impose high duties unilaterally.
The Office of the US Trade Representative relied on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the United States to investigate foreign practices it considers discriminatory and respond by imposing tariffs.
France 24/AFP
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