Trump seeks new import taxes
- President Donald Trump’s trade office opened Section 301 hearings on April 28 as the administration races to replace tariffs the Supreme Court voided in February. - The cases cover 60 economies, with about 60 witnesses over 12 panels, while Trump’s temporary 10% import surcharge expires July 24. - The push shifts tariff policy from emergency orders to slower trade-law procedures. (federalregister.gov)
The Trump administration opened public hearings Monday to build new tariffs under trade law after the Supreme Court struck down its earlier global duties in February. (apnews.com) (scotusblog.com) The Office of the United States Trade Representative began the hearings at 10 a.m. on April 28 at the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. (federalregister.gov) Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office said the cases cover 60 economies and examine whether those governments failed to block imports made with forced labor. (ustr.gov) (reuters.com) Reuters reported the April 28-29 schedule included 12 panels and roughly 60 witnesses from advocacy groups, industry groups, human-rights organizations and foreign governments. (reuters.com) The legal problem started on February 20, when the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize Trump’s sweeping tariffs. (scotusblog.com) Hours later, Trump switched to a different statute and imposed a temporary 10% import surcharge under Section 122, effective February 24 for 150 days. (whitehouse.gov) (federalregister.gov) That stopgap tariff is due to end on July 24 unless Congress extends it, which is why Greer has said he wants the Section 301 cases wrapped before then. (reuters.com) (ey.com) Section 301 is slower than an emergency proclamation. The law requires investigations, consultations, public comments and hearings before the government can impose remedies. (ustr.gov) (federalregister.gov) The target list reaches well beyond China. Reuters said it includes Australia, Canada, the European Union, Britain, Israel, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia. (reuters.com) Importers are also dealing with the old tariff bill. The Supreme Court decision left open how refunds would work, and the administration began a repayment system this month for businesses that paid the invalidated duties. (scotusblog.com) (nytimes.com) The hearings show where the tariff fight moved after the court loss: away from one-day emergency orders and into months of administrative process, with a July deadline hanging over it. (apnews.com) (reuters.com)
