Gellert Global Group challenges 50% Canada tariffs

Gellert Global Group has sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade, seeking to block 50% tariffs on Canadian goods and recover duties it says it has paid. The New Jersey food importer argues that the administration exceeded its authority by using Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose the duties. The court has not ruled on the challenge. The tariffs took effect in August and cover Canadian imports reported to be worth about $20 billion. Gellert imports Canadian cheese. Its complaint asks the court to declare the tariffs unlawful, stop their enforcement and collection, and order refunds with interest. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday, October 20. The Liberty Justice Center filed it on Gellert’s behalf. The organization says the complaint also seeks a preliminary injunction and summary judgment, which would ask the court to halt the duties while resolving the case. Those requests have not been decided. The company’s central argument is that Section 338 does not authorize the tariffs. The provision allows action against certain foreign discrimination against U.S. commerce, and the lawsuit contends the administration’s stated trade concerns do...