Twenty‑Five States Sue to Block Trump’s New Broad Import Tariffs

Overview

• A coalition of 25 mostly Democratic states filed suit Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade seeking injunctions, annulment of the tariffs and refunds for duties already paid.
• The tariffs, announced July 24, levy 10% to 12.5% on goods from roughly 60 trading partners including the European Union and Brazil and were put in place under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
• Plaintiffs rely on a legal record that includes a February Supreme Court ruling that struck down earlier IEEPA‑based tariffs and they argue the administration has improperly repurposed Section 301 to impose blanket, country‑wide duties.
• The measures cover more than 99% of U.S. imports and states and small importers say higher costs will hit consumers and local businesses while raising questions about refunds for previously collected duties.
• The case will play out through the Court of International Trade and likely appeals, and its outcome could determine whether the tariffs stay in force, whether refunds are ordered and how far the president can use trade law to set broad import levies.