Attorney General Kris Mayes has taken the lead in a coalition of state attorneys general aiming to challenge executive actions by President Trump. The lawsuit disputes four of Trump's executive orders that assert the authority to globally raise tariffs without congressional consent.
In a statement, Mayes criticized Trump's tariff plan, stating, "President Trump’s insane tariff scheme is not only economically reckless – it is illegal." These tariffs include a 145% tariff on most Chinese products, 25% on products from Canada and Mexico, and 10% on imports from the rest of the world. Additional tariffs on 46 other trading partners are scheduled for July 9.
Historically, similar tariffs by President Trump have shown that Americans bear 95% of the costs. Projections from the Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund indicate that the new tariffs may lead to inflation. Experts suggest that Arizona families could face significant cost increases due to these tariffs.
Bill Sandweg, owner of Copper Star Coffee, expressed concerns, "After 37 years of experience, I can tell you the restaurant industry as a whole is going to see a sharp decline in growth and new store openings."
Mayes emphasized her stance, saying, "As Arizona’s chief law enforcement officer, I will not stand by while President Trump jeopardizes Arizona’s economy."
The lawsuit refers to Article I of the Constitution, which allocates the power to tax to Congress. It also challenges the application of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as the basis for these tariffs. The case, titled State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al., has been filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
Alongside Mayes, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and attorneys general from several other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, and New York, have joined the lawsuit.