25 US states file lawsuit against Trump over new tariffs
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
Twenty-five US states have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's administration over new import tariffs, claiming that the White House is using them as a way to bypass a Supreme Court ruling and illegally increase the tax burden on businesses and citizens, according to DW.
Last month, the US introduced new double-digit tariffs for 59 countries and the European Union. Washington explained the decision as a necessity to combat the import of goods that may have been produced using forced labor.
However, the coalition of states stated that these arguments are merely a pretext for imposing broad tariffs after the US Supreme Court had previously struck down the administration's earlier tariff measures.
New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that after losing in the Supreme Court, the administration is once again trying to raise taxes for American families and companies.
"After losing at the Supreme Court, the administration is once again trying to illegally raise taxes on families and businesses with a new round of tariffs," James said.
25 states are involved in the lawsuit
Twenty-five states have joined the legal case, including New York, Oregon, California, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Washington, and others.
The plaintiffs argue that there is no direct connection between the issue of forced labor and the imposition of global tariffs.
"There is no rational fit between the purported problem of forced labor in international supply chains and the blanket global tariffs," the lawsuit states.
The White House defends Trump's tariff policy
The US president's administration claims that the new duties are a legitimate tool of trade policy.
After returning to the White House, Trump actively uses tariffs as leverage in negotiations with trading partners, stating that the US has long been at a disadvantage in international trade.
The new tariffs were imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Their rates range from 10% to 12.5%, and the measures affect countries that account for approximately 99% of US imports.
The White House stated that the US is using legitimate authority to eliminate trade practices that harm American workers and companies.
Context of the news
Trump indeed constantly threatens various countries with increased duties and tariffs. Recently, he threatened Canada with tariffs over forest fires, as the smoke from them has also covered the US.
The American president also threatened the European Union with new tariffs in response to a $1 billion fine imposed by European regulators on Google.
