Attorney General Kris Mayes, representing a coalition of attorneys general, has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the tariffs imposed by President Trump. This legal action seeks to halt the implementation of these tariffs, which were established through executive orders without congressional approval.
“The Court should step in and block the President’s reckless and unlawful tariff scheme before it does even more damage,” stated Attorney General Mayes. She argues that these tariffs are unconstitutional as they bypass Congress's authority to impose taxes. According to Mayes, this move is economically harmful, increasing costs for families, businesses, and local governments in Arizona.
The motion requests the U.S. Court of International Trade to stop federal agencies from collecting these tariffs. The current tariffs include a 145 percent rate on most Chinese products, 25 percent on Canadian and Mexican goods, and 10 percent on products from other countries. Additionally, there is an impending plan to raise tariffs on imports from 56 other trading partners by July 9.
An economic analysis presented in court indicates that state and local governments across the twelve states involved could incur additional costs amounting to at least $3.4 billion annually due to these tariffs. A Federal Reserve report submitted alongside highlights that businesses anticipate increased input costs because of the tariffs and expect to pass these costs onto consumers.
The lawsuit challenges the legality of using powers granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for imposing such tariffs. The IEEPA was enacted in 1977 for emergencies presenting “unusual and extraordinary threat” from abroad but does not authorize tariff imposition according to this interpretation.
The case titled State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al., is being heard by a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade (Case No. 1:25-cv-00077-GSK-TMR-JAR). Leading this case are Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield with support from attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont.