A group of 25 US states has taken legal action against the Trump administration, contesting newly implemented tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners. These levies, which took effect in July, target countries including the UK, China, the European Union, Japan, Brazil, and Taiwan.
The tariffs were introduced under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act, aimed at penalizing nations alleged to be involved in forced labour practices. However, the states argue that the administration’s approach is excessive and unlawful. In their lawsuit, the coalition describes the tariffs as “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law,” accusing the administration of using forced labour claims as a pretext to enforce an illegal tariff scheme.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized the tariffs as a burden on American families, while Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield highlighted the negative impact on local businesses, stating that the tariffs unfairly penalize US consumers rather than foreign governments.
Several affected countries have expressed strong opposition to the tariffs. Brazil and Japan labeled the measures “unjustified,” while China’s foreign ministry called them a “political manipulation.” The tariffs come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, which currently maintain a paused trade conflict.
These tariffs follow a series of trade policies introduced by President Trump since his return to office in January 2025. Earlier broad tariffs were struck down by the US Supreme Court, leading to substantial refunds for affected companies. Despite this, the administration replaced those duties with temporary levies that expired in July, and further tariffs may be forthcoming as investigations continue into manufacturing overcapacity in 16 countries.
White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the tariffs, stating the US is exercising lawful authority to address unfair trade practices that harm American businesses.
