Lawsuits expand challenge to new Section 301 tariffs

Two new lawsuits challenge President Trump’s latest wave of Section 301 tariffs on 60 economies, arguing the administration failed to provide country-specific findings or a proper rationale for near-uniform duties. The suits, led by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of Burlap & Barrel and Collective Horology, now include Educational Resources company Learning Resources as a co-plaintiff seeking a three-judge panel in the Court of International Trade. Critics contend the administration swapped one expired global tariff regime for another under a different statute, raising questions about the legality and durability of the tariff authority. The new duties, set at 10% to 12.5%, followed a previous IEEPA-era set ruled illegal by the courts, and the Section 122 tariffs expired just before the latest move. The White House has not publicly commented, while advocates argue the measures are needed to combat forced labor and protect American workers. The litigation underscores ongoing tensions over how much latitude Congress intends for tariffs as trade tensions persist.