25 US states sue Trump over tariffs on 60 trading partners

Sun Sep 06 2026 13:47:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

25 states file a lawsuit against President Trump’s new tariffs, claiming they are unlawful and hurt American businesses.

In a landmark move, 25 US states sued the Trump administration over a 10‑12.5% tariff imposed on goods from 60 countries, citing the measures as arbitrary and damaging to local businesses. The tariffs, justified under Section 301 of the Trade Act for tackling forced labour, have sparked backlash from trade partners such as China, the EU, and Japan. State officials warn the duties increase costs for families and businesses, while foreign leaders condemn the tariffs as unfair political maneuvers.

25 States File Lawsuit Over Trump Tariffs on 60 Countries

For the first time in a decade, 25 U.S. states filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration over a new tariff regime that applies 10–12.5% duties to goods from 60 trading partners. The states allege the tariffs are "arbitrary and capricious" and that they harm U.S. companies rather than address forced‑labour concerns.

Trump’s tariffs were rolled out in July, covering major partners such as the UK, China and the EU, and were justified under Section301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which is meant to counter countries that use forced labour.

White‑House spokesman Kush Desai defended the move, saying the U.S. must tackle unfair trade practices. Meanwhile, state officials, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Oregon AG Dan Rayfield, warned that the duties would increase costs for American families.

Countries hit by the tariffs—Brazil, Japan, China—have called them unfair, with Beijing labeling them as a "political excuse." Analysts worry how nations could prove they had fixed forced‑labour issues.

The lawsuit marks the latest of many trade actions taken by Trump after he returned to office in January 2025, and could lead to further legal battles as the U.S. examines "overcapacity" in 16 other nations.