April 24, 2025 | New York — A coalition of twelve U.S. states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of recently implemented tariffs. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, argues that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing tariffs without congressional approval, citing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for his actions.
The states involved in the lawsuit are Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont. They contend that the IEEPA permits presidential action only in response to genuine national emergencies involving foreign threats, and that its use in this context is inappropriate.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes criticized the tariff policy, stating it is “not only economically reckless — it is illegal.” Connecticut Attorney General William Tong echoed this sentiment, describing the tariffs as a “massive tax on Connecticut families and a disaster for Connecticut businesses and jobs.”
The lawsuit seeks to have the tariffs declared illegal and to prevent their enforcement by federal agencies. This legal action follows a similar lawsuit filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who warned that the tariffs could result in significant economic losses for his state.
The Trump administration has defended the tariffs as necessary to address national economic concerns. White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the administration “remains committed to addressing this national emergency that’s decimating America’s industries and … .”
The outcome of this legal challenge could have significant implications for the scope of presidential authority over trade policy and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
