In brief: Three former senior U.S. trade officials, including Carla Hills — a key architect of NAFTA — have filed a legal brief urging the U.S. Court of International Trade to strike down President Donald Trump's 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods. Filed November 11, the brief argues the administration improperly invoked Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, a law they say was superseded by Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The brief supports a lawsuit brought by Gellert Global Group, represented by the Liberty Justice Center.
Key questions
Why are former U.S. trade officials challenging Trump’s Canada tariffs?
Carla Hills, Alan Wolff, and Warren Maruyama argue that the administration bypassed congressional safeguards by invoking Section 338 of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which they say was effectively superseded by Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a law that requires investigations, public consultation, and discussions with the trading partner.
Who is suing over Trump’s Canada tariffs?
Gellert Global Group, a New Jersey-based food importer with combined annual revenues exceeding $1.7 billion, brought the lawsuit, represented by the Liberty Justice Center.
Source: Newsweek — Architects of US Trade Policy Turn Against Trump Over Canada Tariffs. Also reported by Semafor.
AI-assisted summary; the reporting is the source's. Read the original at the link.
Canada tariffs, trade policy, Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, Section 338, NAFTA
