MKsportseen at the port of Oakland as trade tensions escalate over US tariffs, in Oakland, California, US, on March 6, 2025. Photo: IC" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-03-25/15bbca1b-4ea5-4549-8daa-e04c0afff536.jpeg" />

A cargo ship full of shipping containers is seen at the port of Oakland as trade tensions escalate over US tariffs, in Oakland, California, US, on March 6, 2025. Photo: IC

The US Chamber of Commerce, the largest lobbying force for corporate America, is considering suing the US administration to halt the implementation of new tariffs set to go into effect on Wednesday, Fortune reported on Monday US time, citing two sources.

The move came after the US administration announced a sweeping "reciprocal" tariff policy on April 2, setting a baseline tariff of 10 percent on all imported goods, with higher tariffs on many countries and regions.

According to Fortune, the US Chamber of Commerce, which represents millions of US businesses big and small but which is heavily funded by industry titans, has been weighing taking the tariff battle to the courts and is being urged to do so by some of its largest members. 

Meanwhile, it is possible other business groups could sue alongside the chamber, one of these people said, according to the report. 

The move would effectively provide cover for companies distressed about the tariffs' impact on their businesses but fearful of incurring the administration's wrath by openly criticizing its trade policy, said the report.

The US Chamber of Commerce spokesperson Matt Letourneau declined to comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Fortune said.

The US' imposition of so-called "reciprocal tariffs" have drawn not only harsh criticism from many trading partners, but also firm opposition from some US businesses amid growing concern of negative impact on the US and global economies.

On April 3, the WTO and the IMF both issued an early warning that the "reciprocal" tariff policy posed a significant risk to the global outlook. J.P.Morgan said it now sees a 60 percent chance of the global economy entering recession by the end of the year, up from 40 percent previously, according to Reuters. 

"A tariff is a tax paid by the US importer, not a foreign country or the exporter," said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the US National Retail Federation, adding that "this tax ultimately comes out of consumers' pockets through higher prices," according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Global Times