Hochul calls Trump's tariffs a tax on families and joins the challenge
Kathy HochulGovernor of New York
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the new tariffs illegal and said they would raise prices for household goods, groceries and building materials. She said she would join Attorney General Letitia James in fighting the tariffs to protect families and businesses.
“illegal tariffs are nothing more than a tax on hardworking families”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Are Trump's Section 301 "forced labor" tariffs a lawful remedy, or a pretext to revive struck-down global tariffs?
On July 23, 2026, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, at President Trump's direction, imposed additional tariffs of 10% or 12.5% on imports from 60 economies under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The duties took effect July 24. USTR says each economy failed to impose and effectively enforce a ban on imports of goods made with forced labor, which it found unreasonable and a burden on U.S. commerce. Businesses and 25 states sued in the Court of International Trade. They say the forced-labor rationale is a pretext for re-creating the global tariffs the Supreme Court struck down in February, and that USTR skipped the country-by-country findings the statute requires. The Justice Department says USTR made findings for all 60 economies on a record of data, testimony and public comments. A three-judge panel heard argument on September 30, 2026. As of that date, no court had ruled on the Section 301 tariffs. The disputed question is whether the tariffs are a lawful remedy under Section 301 or a pretext to revive the struck-down global tariffs.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
The New York attorney general's office announced a lawsuit challenging the new Section 301 tariffs and included separate statements from James and Hochul. Hochul said she would fight the tariffs with James to protect New York families and businesses.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The New York attorney general's office announced a lawsuit challenging the new Section 301 tariffs and included separate statements from James and Hochul.
After the quotation
Hochul said she would fight the tariffs with James to protect New York families and businesses.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Hochul rejects the new tariffs as illegal and supports the legal challenge.
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“Congress included an expansive definition of “unreasonable” acts, policies, or practices, in Section 301.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Hochul calls Trump's tariffs a tax on families and joins the challenge". First published: 2026-10-01. Last updated: 2026-10-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/3984-new-york-governor-kathy-hochul-called-the-new