The Trump administration pivots to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose 10-12.5% forced-labor duties on 60 trading partners, replacing IEEPA-based tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. This legal shift offers greater durability against court challenges and WTO disputes, but trade counsel must navigate new compliance complexities.
The US has imposed a 10% tariff on Indian imports under Section 301, rewarding India’s new forced-labour ban with a rate reduction from 12.5%. This novel use of trade law to enforce labour standards raises significant questions about WTO compliance and the extraterritorial reach of domestic prohibitions.
The Trump administration's new Section 301 tariffs, covering nearly all U.S. imports with a forced labor justification, mark a legal recalibration after the Supreme Court struck down broader trade actions. Legal experts anticipate constitutional and statutory challenges to these measures, which also face potential WTO disputes. The ongoing USTR probe into 16 nations for overproduction signals further regulatory moves.
Source: wmtw.com · wisn.com
After the Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariff powers, the U.S. pivots to a forced labor ban to levy 10-12.5% duties on 60 trading partners. This shift tests the boundaries of trade authority and potential WTO compliance.
The Trump administration will impose new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on 60 trading partners under Section 301 of the Trade Act, circumventing a Supreme Court ruling that struck down earlier IEEPA-based duties. The measures cover 99.4% of imports but exempt key commodities, and are tied to forced labour enforcement. Legal experts see reduced litigation risk but potential WTO challenges remain.
Source: Billy Freeman (gb) · David Lawder (au)
The US invokes a dormant 1930 trade law to impose 50% tariffs on $20B of Canadian imports, raising novel legal questions about USMCA compatibility and potential WTO challenges.
Source: asia.nikkei.com · businesstimes.com.sg
The U.S. imposes a 25% tariff on Brazilian goods citing unfair trade practices after a Section 301 investigation. Exemptions for coffee, beef, and other goods raise questions about legal scrutiny and potential WTO challenges. Legal experts weigh the justification against a trade-surplus partner and the use of tariffs for non-trade policy goals.
The US refusal to renew the USMCA in its current form plunges a $1.8 trillion trade pact into a decade of annual reviews, creating profound legal uncertainty for cross-border contracts, rules of origin, and tariff liability. With Canada sidelined and China ties blamed, trade lawyers face a new era of regulatory volatility.
Source: Igor Patrick (hk) · Igor Patrick (hk)
Canada's newly appointed trade team held its first high-level meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to address bilateral friction and the upcoming CUSMA review. The discussions signal a potential end to a diplomatic freeze while highlighting persistent disputes over market access and the long-term viability of the trilateral agreement.
Source: The Canadian Press (ca) · The Canadian Press (ca)
The Trump administration is pivoting its legal framework to maintain high tariffs on Chinese goods after the Supreme Court invalidated previous levies based on emergency powers. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed the use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to ensure trade continuity ahead of a high-stakes meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Source: Xinmei Shen (hk) · Xinmei Shen (hk)
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed President Trump will sign a supplemental proclamation raising tariffs to 15% selectively to ensure trade continuity. The move signals a tightening of trade enforcement, specifically targeting perceived gaps in the USMCA and existing agreements with the UK and EU.
Source: Bloomberg · Bloomberg
Following a Supreme Court ruling invalidating tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, President Trump has pivoted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The administration is imposing a 15% temporary import duty while warning global trading partners against abandoning existing agreements.
Source: Martin Shwenk Leade (in) · India Today World Desk (in)
The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the executive branch's use of emergency laws to impose broad tariffs, forcing a pivot to a new 15% global tariff framework. Simultaneously, the U.S. is engaging in high-stakes diplomacy with Iran in Geneva, backed by a massive military buildup, to secure a new nuclear agreement.
Source: Cbsnews · Margaret Brennan (US)
The European Commission is demanding clarity from Washington after President Trump imposed a 15% global tariff hike immediately following a Supreme Court ruling that curtailed his trade powers. The move threatens a fragile year-old trade agreement and has prompted the European Parliament to consider freezing legislative work on the deal.
Source: AFP (my) · AFP (pk)
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has confirmed that bilateral trade agreements remain legally binding despite a recent Supreme Court ruling against the administration's tariff authority. The statement aims to provide market certainty and prevent the unraveling of complex international trade frameworks.
Source: Bloomberg · thehindubusinessline.com
President Trump has signed an executive order imposing a 10% global tariff on all imports, leveraging Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. This move follows a 6-3 Supreme Court ruling that invalidated previous tariffs enacted under emergency powers, forcing a strategic shift in the administration's trade enforcement mechanism.
Source: Mallika Soni (in) · hindustantimes.com