Coalition Includes Arizona, Oregon, New York, and Minnesota
A coalition of 12 US states has initiated a legal challenge against the tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The group, which includes Arizona, Oregon, New York, and Minnesota, follows a strategy initially employed by California, which filed a similar lawsuit last week.
Background on the Legal Challenge
According to Arizona’s Attorney General, Kris Mayes, “Trump’s erratic tariff plan is not only economically imprudent but also illegal.” Since his return to the White House in January, Trump’s actions have caused global stock markets to plummet by questioning decades of free trade.
- Trump initiated a trade war against China and imposed 10% tariffs on products from numerous countries worldwide.
- He has also threatened to introduce much harsher penalties.
However, the lawsuit filed on Wednesday argues that the 1974 Trade Act, which Trump invoked, does not grant him the authority to implement substantial and ever-changing tariffs on any products he deems necessary under an emergency declaration. According to the US Constitution, this power lies with Congress.
“By assuming the authority to impose significant and ever-changing tariffs on any products he deems appropriate under an emergency declaration, the President has disrupted the constitutional order and plunged the US economy into chaos,” the lawsuit states, filed with the US International Trade Commission.
Trump’s Protectionist Policy
Trump claims that, in the long term, his protectionist policy will bring manufacturing back to the US. However, critics argue that in the short term, it is causing significant uncertainty and likely increasing prices for consumers while leading to job losses.
California’s Preceding Action
Last week, California filed a lawsuit against Trump’s tariffs. Governor Gavin Newsom likened the tariffs to “the worst self-goal in the history of this country.”
“One of the most self-destructive things we’ve experienced in modern US history,” Newsom said.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue of contention? The legality of President Trump imposing tariffs without Congressional approval.
- Which states are part of this legal challenge? Arizona, Oregon, New York, Minnesota, and California are among the 12 states involved.
- What is Trump’s justification for the tariffs? He believes they will eventually stimulate domestic manufacturing.
- What are the potential short-term effects of these tariffs? Increased consumer prices and job losses, according to many economists.
- How did California respond to Trump’s tariffs? California filed a lawsuit against the tariffs, with Governor Newsom calling it “the worst self-goal in the history of this country.”
