A group of 12 U.S. states has filed a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's aggressive tariff policy, arguing that the administration overstepped its legal authority and bypassed Congress.
Led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the lawsuit criticizes the tariffs as both harmful to the economy and unconstitutional. "President Trump's insane tariff scheme is not only economically reckless — it is illegal," Mayes said in a statement, UNB reports.
The states involved include Democratic-led Arizona, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, and others. California, though not part of this coalition, launched its own legal challenge just a week earlier.
Since returning to office, Trump has disrupted global trade markets by announcing sweeping new tariffs as part of his so-called "Liberation Day" policy shift. The U.S. has slapped an additional 145% import tax on Chinese goods, prompting China to retaliate with a 125% tariff on American exports. Trump insists he's negotiating a "fair deal" with Beijing, but tensions remain high.
In addition to the China-focused tariffs, the White House has implemented a 10% levy on imports from other trading partners, with threats of even more aggressive measures looming.
At the heart of the legal challenge is the 1977 law Trump invoked to justify the tariffs, which the states argue does not grant the president the authority to impose sweeping trade restrictions unilaterally. The suit asserts that Trump's actions sidestep Congress and destabilize the economy.
"The President cannot declare an emergency on a whim and levy massive tariffs at will," the lawsuit contends. "This undermines the constitutional balance of power and injects uncertainty into the global market."
Trump maintains that his protectionist approach is aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, but critics argue the costs fall on American consumers and businesses.
"Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple — and Arizona families will be the ones footing the bill," Mayes said.
Meanwhile, political fallout continues. According to The New York Times, Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 44%, just three months into his second term. Democratic leaders have pounced on the numbers, blaming the administration’s economic policies for rising costs and market instability.
California Governor Gavin Newsom last week blasted the tariff strategy, calling it “the worst own-goal in the history of this country.”
