A coalition of 12 American states filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs, arguing the president overstepped his authority by imposing the levies without congressional approval.
Led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, the lawsuit calls Trump’s trade policy “economically reckless” and unconstitutional. “By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs on whatever goods he chooses, the President has upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy,” the filing states.
The legal challenge—joined by Democratic-led states including New York, Minnesota, and Oregon—targets tariffs imposed under a 1977 emergency trade law. California filed a separate suit last week.
Since taking office, Trump has upended decades of U.S. free trade policy, slapping a 145% tariff on Chinese imports—prompting Beijing to retaliate with 125% duties on American goods. The president has also imposed 10% tariffs on other trade partners and threatened further levies, rattling global markets.
While Trump claims his protectionist agenda will revive U.S. manufacturing, critics warn the costs are being passed to consumers. “No matter what the White House claims, tariffs are a tax that will hit Arizona families,” Mayes said. The backlash comes as Trump’s approval rating dips to 44%, according to a New York Times poll.
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently blasted the tariffs as “the worst own-goal in U.S. history.” The lawsuits mark escalating resistance from states as Democrats frame the trade wars as a growing economic burden.
