Twenty-five states sue Trump administration over latest round of global tariffs

Twenty-five Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over its latest round of global tariffs, arguing the administration was using a different legal authority to revive a policy the Supreme Court had struck down.

The lawsuit was filed in the US Court of International Trade in New York, led by NY AG Letitia James, targeting last month's tariffs on 59 countries and the EU on forced-labor grounds. The states argue the tariffs are 'arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law'. The complaint states 'The Plaintiff States oppose forced labor in all its forms and support protections for workers around the globe' and argues the administration cannot use forced labor as 'a pretext to continue its illegal tariff scheme'. White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the tariffs saying the US is 'using its lawful authority to obtain the elimination of unreasonable acts, policies, and practices that burden U.S. commerce.' He also said 'Section 301 tariffs have proven to be a legally durable tool since the President's first term, and they remain so now.' The 25 plaintiff states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. James said the administration is 'trying to illegally raise taxes on families and businesses' after losing at the Supreme Court.