Attorney General Kris Mayes co-led a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to block President Trump’s illegal tariffs. The case challenges four of President Trump’s executive orders that claim the power to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional action.
“President Trump’s insane tariff scheme is not only economically reckless – it is illegal,” said Attorney General Kris Mayes. “Arizona cannot afford President Trump’s massive tax increase. No matter what the White House claims, tariffs are a tax that will be passed on to Arizona consumers.”
The lawsuit challenges President Trump’s executive orders calling for higher tariffs on most products worldwide. These tariffs impose a 145 percent tariff on most products from China, a 25 percent tariff on most products from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent tariffs on most products from the rest of the world. It also challenges President Trump’s plan to raise tariffs on imports from 46 other trading partners on July 9.
Studies of the tariffs President Trump issued in his first term show that 95 percent of the cost of tariffs are paid by Americans. The Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund project that this round of tariffs will cause inflation.
Experts estimate the tariffs will raise the cost of living for the average Arizona family by thousands of dollars a year.
“Coffee is going to be especially hard-hit, what with Italian equipment and parts, coffee beans, tea, packaging…the list goes on and on,” said Copper Star Coffee owner Bill Sandweg. “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. Lots of refrigeration, produce, specialty food products, and equipment are foreign-made, or have foreign components.”
“As Arizona’s chief law enforcement officer, I will not stand by while President Trump jeopardizes Arizona’s economy,” continued Mayes. “I will do everything in my power to protect Arizonans and businesses large and small from the illegal actions of the Trump administration.”
Under Article I of the Constitution, only Congress has the “Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.” The executive orders cite the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), but that law applies only when an emergency presents “unusual and extraordinary threat” from abroad and does not give the President the power to impose tariffs. Congress enacted IEEPA in 1977. No President had imposed tariffs based on IEEPA until President Trump did so this year.
State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade.
The case is led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield. Also joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont.
Original source can be found here.