A coalition of twelve U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of recently imposed tariffs that they claim are economically harmful and unconstitutional.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, argues that the administration’s tariffs—ranging from 145% on Chinese goods to 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a blanket 10% on all other imports—were enacted without Congressional approval, violating the Constitution.
New York Attorney General Letitia James stated, “Congress has not granted the president the authority to impose these tariffs and therefore the administration violated the law by imposing them through executive orders, social media posts, and agency orders.”
The states involved in the lawsuit include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
Critics argue that the tariffs have led to increased costs for consumers and businesses, contributing to inflation and economic instability. The International Monetary Fund has warned that such trade measures could slow global growth and increase debt.
In response, the White House has defended the tariffs as necessary to protect American industries and workers. A spokesperson stated, “The administration remains committed to addressing this national emergency that’s decimating America’s industries and leaving our workers behind with every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations.”
This legal challenge adds to the growing opposition against the administration’s trade policies, with critics calling for a reevaluation of the tariffs’ impact on the U.S. economy.
