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Twenty-five US states have launched a legal challenge against President Donald Trump’s administration over a new wave of tariffs imposed on imports from dozens of countries, arguing that the measures are unlawful and harmful to American consumers and businesses.
The tariffs, which range between 10 per cent and 12.5 per cent, were introduced by Washington under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act. The administration says the duties are aimed at countries that have failed to properly address the use of forced labour in supply chains, including major trading partners such as the United Kingdom, China and the European Union.
However, in a lawsuit filed on Monday, the coalition of Democratic-led states accused the administration of misusing its authority. The legal filing described the tariffs as “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law,” arguing that the forced labour concerns were being used to justify a broader trade strategy.
“The tariffs the USTR imposed are so broad that they defy the USTR’s own stated aims and make a mockery of the statute used to justify them,” the states said in their filing. They added that the administration “cannot use forced labour as a pretext to continue its illegal tariff scheme.”
The White House rejected the claims, insisting that the tariffs were within the government’s legal powers. White House spokesman Kush Desai said the United States was “using its lawful authority” to protect American businesses from unfair trade practices.
Desai argued that countries failing to tackle imports linked to forced labour were engaging in “unreasonable” practices that required action from Washington.
The duties, which took effect in July, reportedly cover 99.4 per cent of US imports, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative. The move has drawn criticism from several affected countries, with Brazil and Japan describing the measures as unjustified.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning called the tariffs an “excuse for political manipulation,” as tensions between Washington and Beijing continue despite a temporary pause in their ongoing trade dispute.
US state officials also criticised the policy. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the tariffs “nothing more than a tax on hardworking families,” while Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said Americans, rather than foreign governments, would bear the financial consequences.
The legal challenge comes amid a broader effort by Trump to reshape US trade policy since returning to office in January 2025.
Earlier tariff measures introduced under his administration, including the so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs, were struck down by the US Supreme Court, leading to billions of dollars in refunds for affected companies.
Trump has consistently defended tariffs as a tool to protect American workers and strengthen the economy. However, further trade restrictions may still follow, with the US currently investigating 16 countries over allegations of manufacturing overcapacity.
