US states sue to block Trump tariffs impacting dozens of countries
The duties were imposed over claims that 60 US trading partners have failed to tackle forced labour.
Twenty-five U.S. states initiated legal action on Monday against the administration of President Donald Trump, challenging new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on goods originating from 60 trade partners.
These tariffs, which became effective in July, target nations such as the UK, China, and the European Union. Washington asserts that these countries have not adequately addressed the issue of forced labor.
A legal document reviewed by the BBC indicates that the coalition of Democratic states characterized the decision as "arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law."
In response, White House spokesman Kush Desai stated that "The US is using its lawful authority" to confront practices that adversely affect American businesses. Desai further elaborated that any foreign country's failure to manage the import of goods produced with forced labor is "unreasonable" and necessitates intervention.
According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, these duties encompass 99.4% of all U.S. imports.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul commented, "President Trump's illegal tariffs are nothing more than a tax on hardworking families."
Several impacted trading partners have voiced their disapproval of the new tariffs. The governments of Brazil and Japan, in separate statements, deemed the measures "unjustified." China's foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, labeled the tariffs an "excuse for political manipulation." Washington and Beijing have previously engaged in a reciprocal tariff dispute, which is currently paused.
Some analysts have also raised questions regarding how countries would be able to demonstrate that they have sufficiently addressed the allegations of forced labor.
This legal challenge represents the latest in a series of trade policies introduced by Trump since his return to office in January 2025.
Last April, wide-ranging duties imposed by Trump on global trading partners, known as his "Liberation Day" tariffs, were invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court has made it clear that this administration cannot ignore the law to impose sweeping tariffs," Hochul remarked. The court's ruling led to tens of billions of dollars in refunds for companies that had paid those levies.
The president has consistently maintained that tariffs safeguard American workers and stimulate the U.S. economy. The tariffs that were struck down were subsequently replaced by a temporary 10% levy on all global imports, which expired in July.
Additional tariffs may be forthcoming, as the U.S. is currently investigating 16 countries over claims of manufacturing overcapacity.