The Latest Breaking News from Peter Harrell

Major Questions, Nondelegation, and the Section 338 Tariffs Against Canada

Why the major questions and nondelegation doctrines bolster the legal case against Trump's Section 338 tariffs.

Reason · Sep 14

Trump Expands Illegal Section 338 Tariffs Against Canadian Imports - and Bans Some Entirely

The move further escalates this harmful and illegal trade war with a vital ally.

Reason · Sep 9

Untested in court, Trump's new tariffs on Canada raise legal questions

President Trump invoked a 96-year-old law to impose tariffs on Canadian imports. This action prompted retaliatory measures from Ottawa, straining bilateral relations. Legal experts question the legality and applicability of this Depression-era statute. Newer trade laws may have superseded the authority Trump utilized. Businesses have been slow to challenge these…

The Economic Times · Aug 29

The Courts Should Rein in Trump's Proposed Section 301 Tariffs as Well

A guest post by Georgetown legal scholar Peter E. Harrell.

Reason · Jun 14

Trump's Dubious New Section 301 Tariffs

They appear to be yet another illegal power grab, one that should be challenged in court.

Reason · Jun 4

OpenAI sweeps in to snag Pentagon contract after Anthropic labeled 'supply chain risk' in unprecedented move

Anthropic said it would challenge the Pentagon's decision, which outside experts said may be illegal. But the damage to its business may already be done.

Fortune · Feb 28

How America fell behind in the rare-earth race—and how it hopes to come back

After decades of inaction, the U.S. is racing to reclaim its rare-earths supply chain from China’s grip before the next trade war begins.

Fortune · Nov 18, 2025

Nvidia, AMD to pay 15% of China chip sales to US government

Trade experts express concern about reported deal linking exports controls to monetary payments.

Al Jazeera · Aug 11, 2025

U.S. investments in foreign chip firms a potential concern, White House says

U.S. investment in foreign chip companies is a potential concern for the Biden administration, a White House official said on Wednesday, but he stressed it has not yet made a final decision on a potential mechanism regulating U.S. investments in China.

Reuters · Sep 14, 2022

Russian Industry Targeted, Not Consumers, If Biden Export Curbs Imposed

The Biden administration plans to spare everyday Russians from the brunt of US export controls if Russia invades Ukraine, and focus on targeting industrial sectors, a White House official said. "Key people" will also face "massive sanctions" a top Commerce official said in a separate speech on Friday. The comments…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 29, 2022