Overview

• Multiple lawsuits have been filed challenging President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping global tariffs without congressional approval.
• Plaintiffs argue that trade deficits cited as justification do not constitute an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' or a national emergency as required under the IEEPA.
• The tariffs, including a 10% baseline rate and higher duties targeting specific countries, are claimed to disrupt supply chains, raise costs, and threaten the survival of small businesses across the U.S.
• Legal experts warn that this use of emergency powers undermines constitutional principles by bypassing Congress's exclusive authority to regulate trade and impose taxes.
• Organizations like the Liberty Justice Center and New Civil Liberties Alliance are spearheading the legal challenges, emphasizing the broader risks of unchecked executive authority in trade policy.