Consumer Watchdog Challenges Trump Administration Tariff Expansion

Consumer Watchdog has petitioned the U.S. Court of International Trade to block new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent covering 99 percent of imports from 86 countries. The group argues the sweeping order bypasses Section 301 requirements and creates an irreparable financial imbalance between corporate importers and everyday shoppers.

Money Talk·September 15, 2026·reads: 388

The amicus curiae brief, filed in the case In re Section 301 Forced Labor Cases, contends that the USTR lacks the authority to apply a blanket tariff theory across nearly all product categories. While federal law provides a direct mechanism for importers to claim refunds if tariffs are invalidated, the filing warns that consumers—who ultimately shoulder these costs at checkout—have no such recourse. The organization highlights that prior tariff disputes, such as those in Learning Resources, left consumers without access to the $165 billion in emergency duties collected by the government.

Legal experts representing the group, including Alan B. Morrison of George Washington University Law School, argue that Section 301 mandates a targeted, product-specific approach rather than the broad, wholesale taxation currently in place. The brief urges the court to halt collection immediately to prevent further economic harm. Should the administration appeal a potential vacatur, the group suggests a strictly limited 14-day stay, noting that the government already possesses the necessary import records to collect duties retroactively if their legal position eventually prevails.