25 States Led by Oregon Sue Over Trump’s New Section 301 Tariffs
Twenty-five states led by Oregon filed suit challenging Trump’s Section 301 tariffs.
Why it matters: This lawsuit could reshape federal authority over trade policy and affect enforcement of tariffs nationwide. Legal pros must monitor its impact on regulatory strategies and interstate dynamics.
- 25 states, led by Oregon, filed the lawsuit on August 3, 2026.
- Tariffs challenged range from 10% to 12.5%, targeting 59 countries and the EU for forced labor concerns.
- The Supreme Court invalidated related IEEPA tariffs in February 2026, prompting use of Section 301.
- Oregon AG Dan Rayfield has a history of successful challenges to Trump-era tariffs under similar trade laws.
On August 3, 2026, 25 states led by Oregon filed a lawsuit challenging tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. These tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, target imports from 59 countries and the European Union, citing those entities’ failure to address forced labor in supply chains. The Associated Press reported on the tariff details and legal challenge.
This lawsuit follows the Supreme Court’s February 2026 decision that invalidated tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which had previously been a basis for Trump-era tariffs. After that ruling, the administration turned to Section 301, attempting to sustain tariff policies by this alternate legal route.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, a key plaintiff, has a record of litigation success against Trump tariffs. He secured significant victories in cases challenging tariffs imposed under IEEPA and Section 122 of the Trade Act, as confirmed by the Oregon DOJ. Rayfield emphasized the tariffs’ impact on consumers, stating, "Oregon families are paying more for groceries and other basic items because of these tariffs, and they shouldn’t be."
The Court of International Trade also ruled on May 7, 2026, that tariffs imposed under Section 122 were unauthorized, adding to the administration’s legal setbacks, as noted in an industry analysis.
This new complaint challenges the latest tariff implementation method, raising constitutional and statutory questions about presidential power in trade. The litigation puts a spotlight on how federal trade policies are crafted amid ongoing legal contestations and could influence future tariff enforcement nationwide.
By the numbers:
- 25 states — parties to the lawsuit
- 10% to 12.5% — tariff rates imposed
- 59 countries plus EU — targeted by the tariffs
- February 2026 — Supreme Court invalidated IEEPA tariffs
- May 7, 2026 — Court of International Trade found Section 122 tariffs unauthorized