A coalition of 12 US states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s tariffs, arguing they are an illegal abuse of power. The petition was filed in the Court of International Trade in New York by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Vermont.
The states contend that the Emergency Powers Act should only be used for addressing “extraordinary threats” from abroad, but argue that Trump is imposing tariffs at his own discretion without valid justification. They claim this bypasses constitutional authority, risking economic chaos, inflation, and rising unemployment. The states are requesting the court to block the tariffs and declare them unlawful.
New York Attorney General Letitia James raised concerns that Trump’s actions have destabilized the economy, while Governor Kathy Hochul of New York criticized the president’s reckless tariffs for burdening consumers and causing widespread economic turmoil.
In defense, White House spokesperson Kush Desai argued that the tariffs are necessary to address a national economic emergency affecting American industries and workers. He confirmed the administration’s commitment to using all available tools, including tariffs, to protect US economic interests.
Trump imposed the tariffs on April 2, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This move has faced significant opposition both domestically and internationally, with critics warning of its potential long-term economic impact.
