Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has spearheaded a coalition of state attorneys general in a legal challenge filed Wednesday against President Trump’s recent executive orders imposing tariffs worldwide.
The lawsuit contests four executive actions that claim presidential authority to unilaterally increase tariffs without congressional approval.
“President Trump’s insane tariff scheme is not only economically reckless – it is illegal,” stated Attorney General 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.”
READ: Karoline Leavitt Says There Will Be ‘No Unilateral Reduction In Tariffs’ Against China
The core of the legal action targets President Trump’s orders that would implement significant tariff increases on a broad range of international goods.
These include a 145 percent tariff on most products from China, 25 percent tariffs on most goods originating from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent tariffs on a wide range of products from other countries.
The lawsuit also challenges a planned tariff hike on imports from an additional 46 trading partners set to take effect on July 9th.
Analyses of tariffs previously enacted during President Trump’s administration indicate that American consumers bear approximately 95 percent of the added costs. The Federal Reserve and the International Monetary Fund have both projected that this new wave of tariffs will contribute to inflation.
READ: Trump Signals Easing Of China Tariffs, Says 145% Rate “Won’t Be Anywhere Near That High”
Experts predict substantial increases in the cost of living for average Arizona families, potentially amounting to thousands of dollars annually.
Bill Sandweg, owner of Copper Star Coffee, highlighted the widespread impact on local businesses.
“Coffee is going to be especially hard-hit, what with Italian equipment and parts, coffee beans, tea, packaging…the list goes on and on,” Sandweg explained. “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,” Attorney General Mayes said. “I will do everything in my power to protect Arizonans and businesses large and small from the illegal actions of the Trump administration.”
The lawsuit argues that the executive orders overstep constitutional boundaries. The Constitution, under Article I, grants Congress the sole authority to levy taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.
While the executive orders cite the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as a source of authority, the lawsuit contends that IEEPA, enacted in 1977, is intended for genuine national emergencies posing extraordinary foreign threats and does not authorize the broad imposition of tariffs. Notably, prior to this year, no president had utilized IEEPA as the basis for implementing tariffs.
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