Legal challenge mounts: US states vs Trump's contested tariffs
Twelve US states have initiated a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration. Among these states are New York, Arizona and Connecticut. Their aim is to halt the tariffs imposed by the White House on imports into the United States, which they claim are detrimental to the economy.
Twelve US states have lodged a lawsuit seeking to halt the tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, which have disrupted global trade. Numerous reports indicate that these tariffs are damaging both to the American and global economies.
The lawsuit has been submitted to the United States Court of International Trade. The states involved include New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont, as reported by CNBC.
The governor and attorney general of New York contend in their lawsuit that the president lacked the authority to impose these tariffs. They stressed that such tariffs require approval from the US Congress.
Controversies surrounding presidential powers
The lawsuit questions Trump's application of a 1970s statute, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), to enforce the tariffs. This law permits the president to take action when facing an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security, foreign policy, or the US economy, provided a state of emergency has been declared.
The White House accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of "prioritising a witch hunt against President Trump." White House Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai underlined that the administration remains dedicated to utilising its full legal authority to tackle current threats.
Trump implemented tariffs on trade partners intending to rectify the US trade deficit. In early April, he announced "reciprocal tariffs" on nations globally, which led to worldwide economic unrest. Although he later declared a 90-day moratorium and reduced rates to ten percent for most countries, China was subject to a 145 percent tariff.
The People's Republic of China accepted the challenge. Beijing is establishing a coalition against the US by rallying support from Washington's former allies. China is proposing to Canada the formation of a partnership to counter the United States' aggressive actions.
That's not all. In early April, China also imposed restrictions on the export of rare earth metals, requiring exporters to obtain licences as part of retaliatory measures against President Trump's "reciprocal tariffs."
