Key facts
- Twenty-five US states have sued the Trump administration over new tariffs.
- The states argue the tariffs exceed presidential authority.
- The lawsuit challenges tariffs on goods from 60 trading partners, including China and the EU.
- Tariffs range from 10% to 12.5% and took effect last month.
- The administration defends the tariffs as a tool to address imports produced with forced labor.
Twenty-five US states, primarily led by Democrats, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging new tariffs imposed on goods from 60 trading partners. The states argue that the president exceeded his authority by implementing these tariffs, which they claim are an illegal attempt to raise taxes on Americans and replace previous tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 12.5%, took effect in July.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the tariffs are an illegal attempt to raise taxes on families and businesses. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield added that the price of these unlawful tariffs is being paid by Americans, not foreign governments. White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the tariffs, asserting the administration is using its "lawful authority" to address practices that burden American commerce, specifically citing imports produced with forced labor.
The lawsuit accuses the U.S. of bypassing country-specific consultations and failing to explain why duties on countries with varied forced-labor measures were set in a "nearly uniform manner." The states are asking the US Court of International Trade to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful, and order refunds for duties already paid.
Some affected trading partners, including Brazil, Japan, and China, have described the measures as "unjustified" or an "excuse for political manipulation." Analysts have also questioned how countries would demonstrate they have properly addressed forced labor claims.