New York leads more than 20 states suing Trump over new across-the-board tariffs

Democratic-led states take aim at the president’s latest attempt to keep his tariff agenda alive NewsWorldAmericasUS politicsNew York leads more than 20 states suing Trump over new across-the-board tariffsDemocratic-led states take aim at the president’s latest attempt to keep his tariff agenda aliveAlex Woodward & Ariana BaioThursday 05 March 2026 18:25 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverTrump calls Supreme Court tariff ruling ‘unfortunate’Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreNew York Attorney General Letitia James and more than 20 other states are suing President Donald Trump to block newly imposed global tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping tariff agenda last month.Trump unlawfully imposed tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, according to the Supreme Court. After that decision, the president swiftly raised worldwide tariffs to 15 percent “effective immediately” citing Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.A coalition of Democratic states argue the president’s use of that law is similarly illegal.“Once again, President Trump is ignoring the law and the Constitution to effectively raise taxes on consumers and small businesses,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement Thursday.“After the Supreme Court rejected his first attempt to impose sweeping tariffs, the president is causing more economic chaos and expecting Americans to foot the bill,” she added. “These tariffs will only drive up the cost of living, and I will continue to uphold the rule of law to protect New Yorkers.”A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general are suing Donald Trump to block his latest tariff agenda after the Supreme Court struck down his sweeping levies (Getty)Speaking from the White House briefing room after the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, Trump raged against what he called a “deeply disappointing” ruling and said he was “absolutely ashamed” of two conservative justices he appointed who sided with the court’s majority.“They’re against anything that makes America strong, healthy and great again. They are also frankly a disgrace to our nation, those justices,” Trump said. “They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution.”That night, he said he was imposing a 10 percent tariff on all trading partners. Less than 24 hours later, he bumped up that rate to 15 percent “based on a thorough, detailed, and complete review of the ridiculous, poorly written, and extraordinarily anti-American decision,” he wrote on Truth Social.The Supreme Court was asked to determine whether Trump was illegally imposed sweeping tariffs on nearly every trading partner under the 1977 law, which permits the president to regulate trade during “unusual and extraordinary” circumstances when a national emergency is declared.Trump invoked the law when he imposed a baseline 10 percent tariff on most countries, in addition to heavier “reciprocal tariffs” that he announced last April on his so-called “Liberation Day.” The president argued the tariffs were a matter of national security to balance trade deficits.The tariffs — a key tool in the president’s economic agenda — sparked global chaos and several lawsuits from small businesses. Trump, using tariffs as leverage to extract “deals” with other countries, repeatedly walked back his levies and markets gradually rebounded.Hundreds of business owners across the country who were forced to absorb the cost of Trump’s tariffs and then pass costs to consumers through higher prices have filed complaints seeking reimbursements.Dozens of complaints have been filed with the Court of International Trade in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling.This is a developing storyMore aboutDonald TrumptariffsSupreme CourtLetitia JamesJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesCommentsMost popularPopular videosBulletinRead next