Twelve U.S. States Sue Trump Over ‘Unlawful’ Tariffs, Demand Halt to Chaos
A coalition of 12 U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, aiming to halt President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff strategy.
The complaint accuses the administration of bypassing constitutional limits and destabilizing the U.S. economy with what it calls an erratic and unlawful trade policy.
Led by states including New York, Oregon, and Arizona, the lawsuit argues that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs is an abuse of executive authority. It calls on the court to declare the policy illegal and prevent federal agencies from enforcing it.
Attorneys General Slam Tariffs as “Economically Reckless”
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called the scheme “insane,” adding it was not only damaging to the economy but also blatantly illegal. Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong echoed those concerns, describing the tariffs as “a massive tax on Connecticut families” that threatens jobs and local businesses.
The core of the legal challenge asserts that only Congress has the constitutional authority to levy tariffs. The president, the suit argues, can only act under the IEEPA during a legitimate foreign emergency — not at will.
Economic Fallout and Growing Opposition
The lawsuit follows growing backlash across the country, including a separate case filed last week by California Governor Gavin Newsom. As the largest importer in the nation, California argues it stands to lose billions in revenue under Trump’s tariff agenda.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the administration’s actions, saying the White House remains focused on confronting what it considers a national economic emergency — using all tools available, including tariffs and negotiations.
As legal and political resistance builds, the outcome of these lawsuits could determine the future scope of presidential power in shaping trade policy.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
