Democratic Attorneys General Oppose Trump-Era Tariffs Over Forced Labor

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 7, 2026

A coalition of 22 Democratic state attorneys general formally opposed the Trump-era tariffs proposed by the U.S. Trade Representative targeting imports from 59 countries over alleged forced labor. They argue the tariffs are legally unjustified, harmful to consumers, and urge for cooperative strategies instead, as a public hearing on the measures is set to begin July 7.

A coalition of 22 Democratic state attorneys general voiced opposition on July 6 to proposed tariffs introduced during the Trump administration targeting imports from 59 countries and the European Union over allegations of forced labor. The tariffs, which could reach up to 12.5%, are intended to pressure countries to address forced labor practices in their supply chains.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by counterparts from states including Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Virginia, Colorado, North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey, characterized the tariffs as unlawful and economically harmful. They argued that the levies would increase consumer costs and exacerbate economic disruptions similar to those triggered by earlier tariffs. The group also suggested that the measures are a tactic to reinstate tariffs previously invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The attorneys general’s letter accuses the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) of overstepping its authority under Section 301 of the Trade Act by imposing broad tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports. They contend that the evidence does not justify such sweeping tariffs as a remedy for the global issue of forced labor and urged the USTR to pursue more collaborative approaches with trading partners to address these concerns.

In response to the opposition, the USTR declined to comment directly on the letter. The office is scheduled to conduct a three-day public hearing starting July 7 to discuss the tariffs, which include a 10% levy on imports from 16 economies, including the European Union, and a 12.5% tariff on goods from 44 other countries. According to USTR, these tariffs will affect approximately 99.4% of imports entering the United States.

The state attorneys general also challenged the USTR’s underlying government report, describing it as rushed and inconsistent with earlier investigations carried out under Section 301 provisions. They maintained that there is no direct connection between the tariffs imposed and the presence of forced labor in goods imported to the U.S.

The dispute underscores ongoing tensions over trade enforcement strategies related to human rights concerns and highlights differing views on the most effective avenues to combat forced labor in global supply chains.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.