Trump hit with new tariff lawsuit as US states accuse him of illegal ‘end run’ around Supreme Court ruling

A coalition of 24 US states has filed a lawsuit against President Trump’s administration, challenging the legality of his recently implemented 10% global tariffs. The states argue that these tariffs are an attempt to bypass a Supreme Court decision on February 20th that invalidated many of Trump’s previous tariffs. They contend that Trump is improperly using the Trade Act of 1974, intended for short-term monetary emergencies, to address routine trade deficits.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated the tariffs represent an “end run” around Congress, violating the US Constitution. The White House defended the President’s actions, asserting he is utilizing authority granted by Congress to address international payment issues and balance-of-payments deficits. The lawsuit seeks to block the new tariffs and secure refunds for payments already made under the disputed legal authority.

This legal challenge follows a Supreme Court defeat for Trump, who had claimed broad authority to impose tariffs without Congressional input. The court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not grant him the power he asserted. The states involved include those with Democratic attorneys general, as well as Pennsylvania and Kentucky, which have Democratic governors and Republican attorneys general. Simultaneously, the court is addressing approximately 2,000 lawsuits from businesses seeking over $130 billion in refunds for tariffs previously paid under the invalidated IEEPA.

(Source：Malay Mail)