A coalition of 24 US states files a lawsuit challenging the legality of President Trump’s new 10% tariffs, seeking a court declaration and refunds.
WASHINGTON: A coalition of 24 US states has filed a lawsuit to challenge President Donald Trump’s new 10% tariffs on imports.
The attorneys general from New York, California, Oregon and other states argue Trump has “once again exercised tariff authority that he does not have”.
Their filing to the US Court of International Trade contends the tariffs are unlawful and should be declared not in force.
The states also seek an order for refunds to be made to affected parties.
The legal action targets tariffs imposed after the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier global duties last month.
For now, the states charge that Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 did not authorize Trump’s “immense and ever-changing” duties.
They argue the law was designed for limited tariffs to address a significant balance of payments deficit.
The coalition states the United States is not currently facing such a situation.
The lawsuit further alleges the new tariffs are applied discriminatorily, violating legal requirements.
“The new tariffs exempt many goods from Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua,” New York Attorney General Letitia James’s office stated.
The filing also notes the measures include 84 pages of specific product exceptions.
“Once again, President Trump is ignoring the law and the Constitution to effectively raise taxes on consumers and small businesses,” James said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the state had “challenged the illegal imposition of tariffs time and time again”.
Bonta stated this question matters enormously for Californians struggling with rising costs.
Trump’s new tariffs are set to last only 150 days unless extended by Congress.
The President has already threatened to raise the rate to 15 percent while his administration pursues more lasting action.
The Supreme Court’s prior ruling does not affect Trump’s existing sector-specific tariffs.
However, it has opened the door to a rush for refunds as importers seek to recover lost revenues.
The now-illegal earlier tariffs had generated more than $130 billion for the US government as of late-2025.
