In a bold legal move, attorneys general from 12 U.S. states filed a lawsuit Wednesday in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, challenging what they call the Trump administration's 'illegal tariffs'. The coalition includes Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont.
Coming one week after California's initial suit, this latest action aims to block tariffs enacted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, invoked on April 2 to declare a national emergency and impose 'reciprocal tariffs' on all U.S. trading partners.
The lawsuit argues that by bypassing Congress and issuing executive orders, social media posts and agency directives, the president has overstepped his authority and left national trade policy subject to 'whims rather than the sound exercise of lawful authority'.
'By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs on whatever goods entering the United States he chooses, for whatever reason he finds convenient to declare an emergency, the President has upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy,' the filing states.
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned that these measures, if left unchecked, could fuel higher inflation, more unemployment and widespread economic damage. Governor Kathy Hochul added that the 'reckless tariffs have skyrocketed costs for consumers and unleashed economic chaos across the country'.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the tariffs as essential tools to protect American industries and workers, saying the administration remains committed to addressing what it calls a national emergency 'with every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations'.
Since the April 2 order, global markets have experienced volatility, and trade partners have voiced strong opposition. The outcome of this case could set a key precedent on executive power and influence the future of U.S. engagement in global trade.
For young entrepreneurs, international professionals and changemakers, this lawsuit highlights the clash between economic strategy and constitutional checks—one that will reverberate across boardrooms, marketplaces and policy debates worldwide.
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Twelve U.S. states sue Trump administration over 'illegal tariffs'
cgtn.com
