Twenty-five U.S. states have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose new tariffs.
The Trump administration imposed additional tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 trading partners, citing allegations of goods being produced through forced labor or the importation of such goods. The lawsuit was filed on Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
British media outlet The Guardian reported that the plaintiff states include New York, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Washington, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. An additional 17 states have also joined the suit. These states are predominantly Democratic-leaning.
There are currently 50 states in the United States.
Background of the Tariff Imposition
Last July, the Trump administration imposed these additional tariffs on 59 countries—including India, Canada, Japan, Norway, Taiwan, and China—as well as the European Union.
This measure was taken under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974. It was alleged that these countries and regions were importing goods produced via forced labor or were involved in the production of such goods.
After assuming office for his second term, Trump announced a new tariff policy on April 2, 2025. Under this policy, a 10% “baseline tariff” was applied to goods from all countries with trade ties to the U.S., alongside “reciprocal tariffs” imposed on specific nations.
Throughout 2025, Trump utilized tariffs as a key tool amidst trade tensions with various countries, including China, India, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
New Controversy Following Supreme Court Ruling
On February 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Trump administration’s tariff policy illegal. The court ruled that the Trump administration had unlawfully invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977; therefore, tariffs imposed under that act were invalid.
Subsequently, on May 7, the Supreme Court also struck down the “baseline tariffs” that had been imposed under the same law.
Complaints from the States
Following the lawsuit, New York Attorney General Letitia James stated that the 60 trading partners targeted by the Trump administration’s additional tariffs accounted for 99.4 percent of all goods imported into the U.S. market from those regions.
She remarked that, despite the Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration was attempting to raise taxes on American families and businesses by imposing new tariffs.
James further asserted that, under U.S. law and the Constitution, the President does not have the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs on any country.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the Trump administration’s tariff policy. She stated that the tariffs—imposed using the issue of forced labor as a pretext—were driving up costs for ordinary consumers.
Speaking to The Guardian, Hochul said that Trump’s tariffs were placing an additional tax burden on working-class people and small business families, leading to price hikes for groceries, household essentials, construction materials, and other goods.
She added that the Supreme Court had already made it clear that the law cannot be disregarded in the name of imposing tariffs.
The Trump Administration’s Defense
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has defended its decision to impose the tariffs.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai stated that the United States is exercising its legal authority to halt policies and practices that place a strain on American commerce.
He argued that the failure of foreign nations to prevent the import of goods produced through forced labor harms U.S. workers and businesses, making it necessary to take action. Desai further stated that Section 301 tariffs have been used as a legally effective tool since Trump’s first term and remain in effect.
