Trump Sued by 12 States Over “Insane” Trade Tariffs

Several U.S. states have filed lawsuits against President Donald Trump for his tariff policies, alleging they violate constitutional authority and threaten economic stability. 

The legal suits, filed in April 2025, focus on Trump’s 10% tariffs on most imports and 145% tariff on Chinese goods, announced April 2 as “Liberation Day” measures. 

Twelve States and California Sue to Stop Trump Trade Taxes

On April 23, 2025, twelve states—Oregon, Arizona, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, and Vermont—filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York to stop Trump’s tariffs.

A separate lawsuit from California, filed April 16 in a federal district court by Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, raises similar objections. Both cases argue the tariffs are unconstitutional, stating that only Congress and not the President has the authority to impose them under the U.S. Constitution. 

The multi-state lawsuit further stated that Trump’s reliance on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as a justification for the tariffs is invalid, as the act applies to “unusual and extraordinary threats” unrelated to domestic trade policy. 

The states seek court orders to block the tariffs, claiming they lack legal grounding.

From Exports to Imports: How Tariffs Could Cripple State Economies

The Trump tariffs’ economic toll is a central concern, particularly for California, the nation’s top importer and second-largest exporter. 

California’s lawsuit projects billions in revenue losses, threatening its 12 ports, which process 40% of U.S. imports, and its $23.6 billion agricultural export sector. 

The state, responsible for 14% of U.S. GDP, faces potential job cuts in trade-dependent industries. The 12-state alliance, including trade-dependent Arizona and Connecticut, threatens economic consequences across the board, labeling the tariffs a “massive tax” on consumers and businesses. 

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes called the policy “insane” and “economically reckless,” while Connecticut’s William Tong pointed to the risks the tariffs pose on jobs.

Retaliatory tariffs from China, including a reported 125% tax, could further disrupt U.S. agricultural exports, raising fears of a global trade war.  White House spokesperson Kush Desai defended the tariffs, claiming that they correct a “national emergency” that is affecting U.S. industries.

Congress Silence Fuels State Lawsuits Over Tariffs

The lawsuits show the deeper tensions regarding presidential authority and trade policy.

On April 14, the Liberty Justice Center filed a suit in the same New York court on behalf of five small businesses, also claiming that the tariffs are unconstitutional and lack congressional approval and IEEPA precedent. 

California’s Newsom criticized Congress’s inaction, stating, “Where the hell is Congress?” 

The White House dismissed the business lawsuit as a “political stunt.” 

As of April 24, 2025, no rulings have been issued, but the cases could change U.S. trade policy and global economic ties. The growing legal resistance is a testament to an intense battle, with states and businesses mobilizing to protect their economic interests.