A coalition of twelve U.S. states filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, arguing that its tariff policy is unlawful and has destabilized the American economy.
The suit contends that former President Donald Trump overstepped his legal authority by unilaterally imposing tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a law intended for responding to extraordinary foreign threats. The states allege that Trump’s actions circumvented Congress and left national trade policy at the mercy of presidential “whims.”
“By claiming the authority to impose immense and ever-changing tariffs on whatever goods entering the United States he chooses, for whatever reason he finds convenient to declare an emergency, the President has upended the constitutional order and brought chaos to the American economy,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit seeks a court ruling declaring the tariffs illegal and an injunction to prevent federal agencies from enforcing them.
States Take a Stand
The states joining the legal challenge include Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called the policy “insane” in a statement following the lawsuit’s filing.
“It’s not only economically reckless — it is illegal,” Mayes said.
The plaintiffs argue that only Congress holds the constitutional authority to levy tariffs, and that the president can only invoke IEEPA under clearly defined emergency circumstances—not to justify sweeping trade policies.
A Broader Legal Pushback
This latest lawsuit follows a separate legal action filed last week by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who sued the Trump administration in federal court in Northern California. Newsom’s suit warned that California, the nation’s largest importer, could lose billions in revenue if the tariffs remain in place.
In response, White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the administration’s stance.
“The Trump administration remains committed to addressing this national emergency that’s decimating America’s industries and leaving our workers behind with every tool at our disposal, from tariffs to negotiations,” Desai said.
What’s at Stake
The outcome of these lawsuits could have major implications for presidential power over trade, the future of U.S. tariff policy, and how economic emergencies are defined and handled under federal law. The cases also signal growing resistance from state governments to what they view as executive overreach in managing international commerce.
The Department of Justice has yet to respond publicly to the latest legal filing.
