US states sue to block Trump tariffs impacting dozens of countries

Twenty-five US states sued the administration of US President Donald Trump on Monday over new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners. The tariffs came into effect in July, targeting countries including the UK and China as well as the European Union, over Washington's contention that they have failed to properly tackle forced labor. In a legal document seen by the BBC, the coalition of Democratic states said the decision was "arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law."

In response, White House spokesman Kush Desai said, "The US is using its lawful authority" to address practices that burden American businesses. The new tariffs were imposed on major trading partners like Japan, Brazil, and Taiwan under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act. The duties cover 99.4% of US imports, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR). New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, "President Trump's illegal tariffs are nothing more than a tax on hardworking families." Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said, "Despite losing every step of the way, Trump is trying yet again to inflict more chaos on working families and homegrown Oregon businesses."