U.S. states unite to challenge Trump's tariffs in court
Twelve U.S. states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration, including New York, Arizona, and Connecticut. Their goal is to block the tariffs imposed by the White House on imports, which they argue are harmful to the economy.
The lawsuit aims to block tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, which have disrupted global trade. According to numerous reports, these tariffs damage both the American and the global economy.
The lawsuit was filed in the United States Court of International Trade. The plaintiffs include New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont, according to CNBC.
The governor and attorney general of New York argue in the lawsuit that the president did not have the authority to impose the tariffs. They emphasized that such tariffs require approval from the U.S. Congress.
Controversies surrounding presidential powers
The lawsuit contests Trump's use of a 1970s law known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement the tariffs. This law allows the president to act in the case of an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security, foreign policy, or the U.S. economy if a state of emergency has been declared.
The White House accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of "prioritizing a witch hunt against President Trump." White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai emphasized that the administration remains committed to using its full legal powers to address current threats.
Trump imposed tariffs on trade partners to address the U.S. trade deficit. In early April, he announced "reciprocal tariffs" on countries worldwide, causing global economic turmoil. Although he later announced a 90-day pause and reduced rates to 10 percent for most countries, China was subjected to a 145 percent tariff.
The People's Republic of China responded to the challenge by building a resistance bloc against the U.S. among Washington's previous allies. China is offering Canada the creation of a partnership against the aggressive actions of the United States.
