Trump tariffs face lawsuit from 25 US states

Twenty-five US states sued the Trump administration on Monday, challenging tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on 60 trading partners and arguing that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority.

The coalition said in a court filing that there was “no rational fit” between the stated concern about forced labor in international supply chains and what it described as blanket global tariffs imposed by the US Trade Representative's office.

The tariffs were imposed after USTR probes into forced-labor allegations under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The states called the probes “a pretextual and unlawful effort to exert unfettered tariff power” and said the tariff action was “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.”

The Section 301 tariffs took effect on July 24, when a previous 10-percent global levy expired. Trump has argued that US trading partners have taken advantage of the United States and has used tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations.

Of the 25 states in the lawsuit, 23 have Democratic governors. Nevada and Vermont are led by Republicans.