Nevada Joins 25-State Federal Lawsuit Challenging Latest Round of Import Tariffs

CARSON CITY, NV — Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford has joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) against the federal administration, challenging a new wave of global import tariffs.

The legal action, filed earlier this week, marks the third major multistate challenge against federal trade policies in 2026.

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|          NEVADA TARIFF LITIGATION DOSSIER              |
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|  - Filing Date: Monday, August 3, 2026                 |
|  - Judicial Forum: U.S. Court of International Trade   |
|  - Lead Nevada Official: Attorney General Aaron Ford   |
|  - State Coalition Scale: 25 States & Territory AGs    |
|  - Statutory Mechanism Challenged: Section 301, Trade  |
|                                    Act of 1974         |
|  - Tariff Duty Range: 10% to 12.5% on 60 Economies     |
|  - Import Scope Impact: 99.4% of Total U.S. Imports    |
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Challenging Section 301 Forced-Labor Pretext

The federal government enacted the new tariffs—ranging between 10% and 12.5%—under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The duties target 60 economies and the European Union under the premise of addressing foreign forced-labor practices.

However, the lawsuit contends that the forced-labor rationale is a procedural pretext to re-impose broad import taxes after prior tariff structures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Section 122 were invalidated by federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Attorneys general argue the new duties affect goods accounting for 99.4% of total U.S. imports, creating significant upward price pressure for American households and local supply chains.

Economic Impact on Nevada Businesses and Families

State legal leaders emphasized that import tariffs function as direct taxes paid by domestic importers, businesses, and consumers rather than foreign entities.

In Nevada, the duties affect key economic sectors, including retail inventory, commercial construction materials, auto sales, hospitality supply procurement, and solar infrastructure components.

“These illegal tariffs are not paid by foreign governments. They are paid by Nevadan consumers and businesses,” stated Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford. “Families are already feeling the strain of higher prices, and the administration cannot sidestep the law to make that burden even worse. My office will continue fighting to protect Nevadans from unlawful actions that drive up the cost of living and undermine our economy.”

The lawsuit seeks a judicial declaration invalidating the Section 301 duties and prohibiting federal customs agencies from collecting the additional import taxes.

Source: Office of the Nevada Attorney General, U.S. Court of International Trade Docket Filings.