# Trump Tariffs Likely to Fail in Court

> Trump’s global tariffs face legal defeat again as courts reject his trade policies.
- Title: Trump Tariffs Likely to Fail in Court · Foreign Policy
- Summary: Trump’s global tariffs face legal defeat again as courts reject his trade policies. Trump’s third attempt to impose global tariffs will likely be struck down…
- Keywords: trump, tariffs, section 301, u.s. court of international trade, forced labor, trade policy, international trade, u.s. trade representative, chinese trade, trade deficit, Likely, Fail
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/29/trump-tariffs-section-301-forced-labor-court-case-trade
- Author: Keith Johnson
- Published: 2026-09-29T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trump, tariffs, section 301, u.s. court of international trade, forced labor, trade policy, international trade, u.s. trade representative, chinese trade, trade deficit
## Trump’s Tariffs Face Legal Challenge
U.S. President Donald Trump’s third tariff attempt faces court challenge after two prior rulings.
## Tariffs Target 59 Countries
Tariffs of 10-12.5 percent apply to 59 countries and the European Union over forced labor claims.
## Section 301 Tariff Authority
Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act allows tariffs on specific countries burdening U.S. commerce.
## Legal Foundation Weakens
Tariffs rest on sturdier legal ground than past attempts but will likely be struck down.
## Trade Experts’ View
Experts say tariffs are a pretext for reimposing IEEPA tariffs under forced labor claims.
## Section 301’s Purpose
Section 301 was designed for specific trade negotiations, not global tariffs.
## Historical Context
Trump’s administration has used Section 301 twice before, each time facing legal challenges.
## Trade Deficit Unchanged
Tariffs have not reduced the U.S. trade deficit, which grew despite the tariffs.
## Interest Rates Rise
Tariffs contributed to U.S. Federal Reserve raising interest rates for the first time in three years.
## Next Tariff Round
Trump’s administration plans new tariffs on Canadian goods under a different trade authority.
## Court Ruling Timeline
The court will rule on the latest challenge after oral arguments this week.
## Consequence
Tariffs may continue to face legal challenges while raising costs for businesses and consumers.
## Key takeaway

Trump’s third attempt to impose global tariffs will likely be struck down by the U.S. Court of International Trade, following two prior rulings.