Twenty five states have sued the Trump administration over the Trump tariffs on imports from 60 trading partners, setting up a fresh legal fight over one of the president’s most aggressive trade moves. The duties, which took effect in July, apply to goods from countries including the United Kingdom, China and the European Union, with rates of 10% to 12.5%.
The states, all led by Democrats, argue in a legal filing seen by the BBC that the tariffs are “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.” They say the administration cannot invoke forced labour concerns as cover for what they describe as an unlawful tariff scheme. The lawsuit also says the measures are so wide-ranging that they go beyond the purpose of the statute used to justify them.
The White House defended the policy. Spokesman Kush Desai said the United States is using lawful authority to address practices that hurt American businesses. He said it is unreasonable for foreign governments not to deal with goods made with forced labour. The administration imposed the tariffs under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act, a law meant to target nations that use forced labour.
The tariffs reach major US trading partners including Japan, Brazil and Taiwan. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, they cover 99.4% of US imports, which makes this dispute far larger than a narrow trade spat. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the duties amount to a tax on hardworking families. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said the tariffs create chaos for working families and Oregon businesses, not for foreign governments.
