Filed Date: May 20, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case challenged the legality of the Trump Administration’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018 and 2019 under Lists 3 and 4 pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The case raised the same claims and arguments as GK Industries America, Inc. v. Trump, also in the Court of International Trade.
On May 20, 2025, Maple Trade Corporation, a U.S. importer of Chinese goods, filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade. Plaintiff was represented by Nakachi Eckhardt & Jacobson, P.C. Maple Trade alleged that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) acted unlawfully by implementing Lists 3 and 4 more than a year after the original Section 301 investigation began in August 2017—violating the statutory 12-month deadline established in Section 304 of the Trade Act. Plaintiff argued that USTR lacked statutory authority under Section 307 to impose new tariffs beyond the original scope of its findings, particularly because Lists 3 and 4 were driven by China’s retaliatory actions and unrelated political concerns, not the intellectual property practices that were the original target of the investigation.
In addition to exceeding statutory authority, Maple Trade claimed that the government’s actions were arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The complaint alleged that USTR failed to properly consider public comments, conducted insufficient economic analysis, and did not explain its reasoning in the final notices that imposed the tariffs.
Plaintiff sought declaratory and injunctive relief: including vacatur of the Lists 3 and 4 tariffs, a refund of all duties paid with interest, and a permanent injunction against future collection of such duties. Maple Trade asserts jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1581(i).
The case was stayed pursuant to Administrative Order 21-02, which stated that all tariff cases filed under Section 301 after April 1, 2021 would be stayed upon commencement.
As of October 8, Plaintiffs had not taken any further action.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Scott Shuchart (5/22/2025)
Brian Chen (8/4/2025)
Madeline Kaplan (9/17/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70327536/parties/maple-trade-corporation-v-united-states/
Eckhardt, Alena Augusta (District of Columbia)
Attorney-in-Charge, Attorney-in-Charge (District of Columbia)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70327536/maple-trade-corporation-v-united-states/
Last updated Oct. 21, 2025, 9:05 p.m.
State / Territory: New York
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: May 20, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S.-based importer of goods from China
Plaintiff Type(s):
Closely-held (for profit) corporation
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
U.S. Trade Representative (- United States (national) -), Federal
Customs and Border Protection (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.: