Over 3,500 U.S. Companies Sue Trump Administration Over Unfair Tariffs on China

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] More than 3,500 American companies have filed a lawsuit claiming that the Trump administration's imposition of tariffs on Chinese products is unjust. The lawsuit includes American companies such as automobile manufacturers Tesla, Ford, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz; large discount store chain Target; clothing company Ralph Lauren; other manufacturers Gibson; packaged food company Dole; and golf equipment manufacturer Callaway, as well as some foreign companies based in the United States.

According to foreign media on the 25th (local time), these companies recently submitted a complaint to the New York Court of International Trade (CIT) against Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The companies argued that the Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese products are unlawful. Their lawsuit is interpreted as a response to the direct and indirect damages caused by the Trump administration's 'tariff bomb' against China.

The Trump administration began imposing additional tariffs on Chinese products in 2018 under Section 301 of the Trade Act, claiming that China infringed on U.S. intellectual property rights and provided unfair subsidies to its domestic companies. The U.S. and China exchanged tariff bombs until they effectively entered a truce with the 'Phase One Trade Agreement' in January.

Recently, the World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the U.S. tariffs on Chinese products do not comply with regulations.