# US forced‑labor tariffs face state lawsuit

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-tariff-policy-after-supreme-court-ruling
> Updated: 2026-08-03T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 2.

After the Supreme Court’s February 2026 ruling limited the president’s authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trump administration instituted a Section 301‑based tariff regime, imposing 10 %‑12.5 % duties on imports from roughly 60 partners. The administration frames the measures as a response to forced‑labor and human‑rights violations.

On 3 August 2026, a coalition of 25 Democratic‑led states filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging the July 24 tariffs. The states argue the duties exceed presidential authority, contend the administration is using Section 301 as a pretext to replace the invalidated tariffs, and warn that the levies will raise prices for American families and businesses. Attorneys general from Oregon, New York, California and other states are among the plaintiffs. The case adds a new legal front to the ongoing debate over the scope of executive trade power.

The litigation remains pending, with both sides maintaining their legal positions.

## Claims

- Twenty-five Democratic-led U.S. states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The tariffs target imports produced with forced labor. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The lawsuit challenges new tariffs imposed on July 24 on goods from 60 trading partners, with duty rates of 10% or 12.5%. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The tariffs affect more than 99% of U.S. imports. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in February 2026 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not authorize the president to impose tariffs. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Attorneys General Dan Rayfield (Oregon) and Letitia James (New York) said the tariffs are illegal and will raise costs for American families and businesses. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Attorneys general Dan Rayfield (Oregon), Letitia James (New York) and Rob Bonta (California) are among the plaintiffs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Norway was assigned a 12.5% tariff under the new measures. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The lawsuit claims the tariffs are a pretext to replace the import taxes the Supreme Court struck down earlier in the year. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: U.S. states sue Trump administration over forced‑labor tariffs

25 Democratic‑led states sued Trump, saying his July‑24 tariffs on 60 partners (10‑12.5%) exceed authority, target forced labor, and will raise U.S. consumer prices.

35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-revives-tariffs-after-supreme-court-blocks-emergency-power

### 2026-07-16: Trump administration races to replace Supreme Court‑blocked tariff wall

After a Supreme Court ruling halted Trump’s broad tariffs, the administration plans to swap temporary Section 122 duties for longer‑lasting Section 301 tariffs, targeting Brazil and China before a July 24 dead‑

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-administration-races-to-replace-supreme-courtblocked-tariff-wall

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Cite as: US forced‑labor tariffs face state lawsuit. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-tariff-policy-after-supreme-court-ruling