NYS, 11 other states sue Trump administration over imposition of tariffs on many countries

ALBANY — New York and 11 other states are suing the Trump administration in an effort to stop tariffs on other countries that they say the president imposed illegally and have already caused "severe economic damage."   

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday by state Attorney General Letitia James and the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont, according to a news release issued by James and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The lawsuit alleges that President Donald Trump was not given the authority by Congress to impose tariffs and that the administration violated the law by trying to push them through executive orders, social media posts and agency orders. It further argues the tariffs will "increase unemployment, raise inflation, and threaten Americans’ wages by slowing economic growth," according to a release announcing the lawsuit.

"The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that’s exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs," James said in a statement. "His tariffs are unlawful and if not stopped, they will lead to more inflation, unemployment, and economic damage."

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump on April 2, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, or IEEPA, imposed worldwide tariffs on many countries in an effort to increase the United States' "competitive edge," protect its sovereignty and strengthen "our national and economic security," according to a White House fact sheet. A week later, he paused those tariffs on goods from many countries for 90 days but called for increased tariffs on China, precipitating an ongoing trade war. A 10% baseline tariff for most of the world remains in place.

The move caused whiplash for global financial markets and created uncertainty for consumers, businesses and states faced with rising costs for and potential scarcity of imported products and materials looming.

The coalition of attorneys general called on the court to prevent the administration from enforcing or implementing the tariffs.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, argues the 1977 law was not designed to give the president this power, saying "President Trump’s unilateral imposition of his tariffs invoking IEEPA are aberrations that fly in the face of history and the legislative text." It further alleges that the administration violated the Constitution and Administrative Procedure Act.

The costs of the tariffs are expected to severely impact New Yorkers and could lead to more than $100 million in extra costs for state agencies, according to James' office.

"President Trump’s reckless tariffs have skyrocketed costs for consumers and unleashed economic chaos across the country," Hochul said in a statement. "New York is standing up to fight back against the largest federal tax hike in American history."