25 US states file lawsuit against Trump administration's new tariffs

Twenty-five states in the US have filed a lawsuit against the Donald Trump administration's new customs tariffs on products imported from 60 trading partners. The coalition, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, filed the case in the US Court of International Trade.

The lawsuit petition alleges that the administration exceeded its legal authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act when it implemented the tariffs announced last month under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The attorneys general argued that the tariffs are not based on a genuine justification, were not designed to target alleged forced labor practices, and are intended to re-implement tariffs previously found unlawful by the courts.

DEMAND FOR CANCELLATION AND REFUND FROM THE COURT

In their filing, the states requested that the court declare the tariff decision unlawful, cancel it, issue an injunction, and order the refund of customs duties paid under this scope.

The states participating in the lawsuit include Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. The governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania also supported the coalition.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the Trump administration in a written statement. Bonta stated, "President Trump is so determined to increase the cost of living for Americans that he is willing to repeatedly break the law to do so."

Bonta noted that this is the third attempt by the Trump administration to implement tariffs illegally, adding that this is the third time they have filed a lawsuit against the administration's abuse of power.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes argued that the tariffs increase grocery prices, raise costs for small businesses, and create uncertainty in almost every sector of the economy.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield also described the customs duties as "illegal." Rayfield stated that the cost in question is being borne by the American people, not foreign governments.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced on July 23 that it would impose customs duties of 10 percent or 12.5 percent on 60 trading partners, citing their failure to prohibit and effectively enforce bans on the import of goods produced through forced labor.

The new tariff move came one day before the expiration of the 150-day 10 percent temporary global tariffs, which were implemented after the US Supreme Court found tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to be unlawful.

News Source: 12punto