In brief
Donald Trump’s administration slapped a 50% tariff on $20 billion of Canadian imports after trade talks stalled. The Liberty Justice Center sued on behalf of New Jersey food producer Gellert Global Group, arguing the White House overstepped its authority under Section 338 of the Tariff Act. The case contends the duty caused immediate harm to U.S. businesses and violates congressional limits on tariff power. The court will decide whether such sweeping duties can be imposed without clear congressional authorization, following earlier challenges that struck down Trump’s broader tariff claims.
Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a 50% tariff on $20 billion of Canadian goods after trade talks collapsed.
The move triggered a lawsuit from the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of New Jersey food producer Gellert Global Group, which argues that the White House overstepped its authority under Section 338 of the Tariff Act.
Gellert Global Group claims the tariffs have caused immediate harm and that the executive cannot impose sweeping duties without clear congressional approval.
"No president should have the power to pull a dormant statute off the shelf and use it to impose sweeping tariffs," says Liberty Justice Center chief Sara Albrecht.
The court will decide whether the tariffs are lawful, potentially setting a precedent for future executive trade actions and clarifying the limits of Section 338 versus Section 301 of the Trade Act.
