A U.S. food importer is suing the Trump administration over tariffs on Canadian goods, arguing President Donald Trump has exceeded his legal authority.
New Jersey-based Gellert Global Group, a third-generation family business that has imported Canadian cheese for about 100 years, says the tariffs could cost it US$40 million annually.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday by the Liberty Justice Center in a New York court. It challenges Trump’s use of Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose tariffs on Canadian products, including dairy, alcohol, furniture and hockey sticks.
Liberty Justice Center CEO Sara Albrecht said the law has never been used before to impose tariffs on American importers.
The organization argues Trump cannot use an old trade law to impose broad tariffs without limits set by Congress.
Gellert Global Group co-CEO Thomas Gellert said the tariffs threaten long-standing supplier relationships and create higher costs and uncertainty throughout the food supply chain.
The lawsuit asks the court to declare the tariffs unlawful and order a refund, including interest.
The Trump administration has said it will vigorously defend the president’s actions in court.
