California company leads the challenge For the Californian public, the case is especially relevant because Collective Horology, with operations in the state, is among the companies that decided to take the dispute to the International Trade Court. The companies are represented by the Liberty Justice Center, an organization that has previously managed to stop trade measures promoted by Trump. According to the lawsuit, the administration conducted general investigations into alleged forced labor practices in dozens of countries and announced the tariffs before concluding those processes, which, to judgment of the lawyers, exceeds the powers granted by the legislation.

“Forced labor is morally indefensible, but an important goal does not justify the government ignoring the law,” said Sara Albrecht, president and CEO of the Liberty Justice Center.

The dispute could go to court again

According to the aforementioned media, the new tariffs affect more than 80 countries, including Mexico, Canada and members of the European Union, with rates ranging from 10% to 12.5%.

The plaintiffs argue that the Trump administration used Section 301 to reinstate a tariff scheme similar to the one that was previously invalidated by the courts, rather than respond to individual investigations into unfair trade practices.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. However, government officials have defended the strategy, saying the president will use all available legal tools to strengthen the country's trade policy.