 President Donald Trump's administration defended his newest 10% global entry tariffs against a legal challenge in a trade court.

The administration said that Trump acted within his legal authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president's 10% tariff on all imports. The states and small businesses challenging the tariffs argue otherwise. Department of Justice lawyers opposed pausing the tariffs, explaining that the challengers' request lacked legal merit.

The Department of Justice argued that plaintiffs previously agreed that Section 122 could be used to impose tariffs but now claim it is ineffective, suggesting Congress passed a law with no purpose.

Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose a 10% tariff on all imports, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down his previous tariffs under a different statute. Trump has indicated the new tariff could rise to 15%. Since Section 122 has never been used in this way, its constitutionality and limits have yet to be tested in court.

Trump defends Section 122 in latest tariff legal challenge | National | thecentersquare.com