Story perspectives

Two Firms Sue Trump Over Forced-Labor Section 301 Tariffs

7/25/2026

Center

Businesses Sue Tariffs

Two businesses sued in the Court of International Trade on July 24, 2026 over President Donald Trump's Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 countries.
The suit claims the tariffs breach Section 301 by missing required country-by-country forced-labor findings, covering 99.4% of U.S. imports.
Liberty Justice Center, which won a case against Trump’s IEEPA tariffs, represents the plaintiffs.
European Union, China, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan rejected forced-labor accusations.

Left

Businesses Sue Tariffs

Two small businesses sued President Donald Trump in the U.S. Court of International Trade on July 24, 2026 over Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 partner countries.
The plaintiffs contend the tariffs, based on pre-determined forced-labour findings, will damage workers and jobs in the affected economies.
Liberty Justice Center, a nonprofit law firm, represents the businesses.
The 12.5% Australian duty and 10% duties on other partners face diplomatic opposition from Australia.

History

Historical Context

Since the Bureau of International Labor Affairs began publishing the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor in 2009 under the 2005 TVPRA, the list grew to 204 goods from 82 countries by 2024. The 2026 Liberty Justice Center lawsuit invokes that precedent to challenge trade actions that ignore the list’s forced-labor findings, extending enforcement to most U.S. import duties.

1 of 3

Businesses Sue Tariffs

Two businesses sued in the Court of International Trade on July 24, 2026 over President Donald Trump's Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 countries.
The suit claims the tariffs breach Section 301 by missing required country-by-country forced-labor findings, covering 99.4% of U.S. imports.
Liberty Justice Center, which won a case against Trump’s IEEPA tariffs, represents the plaintiffs.
European Union, China, Canada, United Kingdom, Brazil and Japan rejected forced-labor accusations.

1 / 3