The US Court of International Trade has heard arguments over the legality of President Trump’s 10%–12.5% global tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, with businesses and states challenging the administration’s authority to impose the duties under forced labour provisions.
The US Court of International Trade heard arguments on 30 September 2026 over the legal validity of President Trump’s global tariffs.
Three federal judges examined whether the administration exceeded its authority by imposing tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, including the European Union and China. The tariffs range from 10% to 12.5%
This follows after four small businesses and 25 Democratic-led states filed lawsuits claiming the tariffs violate federal law in August 2026. They argue the Trump administration failed to conduct proper country-by-country investigations before applying the duties and is using forced labour concerns as a cover for unchecked tariff power.
The administration’s argument
The Department of Justice told the court that the US Trade Representative thoroughly examined forced labour in international commerce before imposing the tariffs in July. The government contends it did not need to prove with absolute certainty that forced labour burdens US commerce to justify the action.
Prakik Shah, an attorney for the small businesses, countered that the administration skipped required legal steps. He noted that during Trump’s first term, the Office of the US Trade Representative produced detailed country reports before imposing tariffs. This time, Shah said, the administration rushed to cover the entire globe without meeting statutory requirements.
Trump’s tariff history
The Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s widest tariffs on 20 February 2026, ruling that the president cannot use emergency economic powers to unilaterally impose duties. Trump responded by imposing a temporary 10% global tariff under different legal authority. When those duties expired, he invoked forced labour authority to impose the tariffs now being challenged.
The court panel is expected to issue a written ruling within weeks. The judges may reject all the tariffs, or they could order the government to provide more detailed justifications.
