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Arizona Leads Multi-State Legal Battle Against Trump Administration's Tariff Authority at U.S. Court of International Trade

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Published on May 24, 2025
Arizona Leads Multi-State Legal Battle Against Trump Administration's Tariff Authority at U.S. Court of International TradeSource: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Stepping into the legal ring, a coalition of states led by Arizona has brought its case against the Trump administration to the U.S. Court of International Trade. The crux of the lawsuit, as reported by Arizona's Attorney General's office, argues that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not give the then-President the authority to unilaterally impose tariffs, which they claim he illegally did.

The issue at hand is about the impact these tariffs have on regular folks trying to make ends meet. Arizona’s Attorney General Kris Mayes is pulling no punches, she made it clear that “there's nothing 'America First' about making Arizona families pay thousands of dollars more for everyday goods,” throwing the political catchphrase right back at the administration's policies and joining forces with attorneys general from 11 other states to take a stand for their citizens and the rule of law.

Those living in the battleground states of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont might take some solace in knowing their AGs are on board as well. Mayes and her Oregon counterpart, Dan Rayfield, are spearheading the effort, signaling a cross-country unity against what they see as overreach from the executive branch. This coalition's unified front presents a significant challenge, pushing back with the weight of their combined legal expertise and legislative authority.