25 states sue Trump administration over latest round of tariffs
New U.S. tariffs are hurting consumers and businesses, California's attorney general said in filing suit to block levies on 60 countries.
Updated on: August 3, 2026 / 5:55 PM EDT / CBS News
A coalition of 25 states on Monday filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that it exceeded its authority in imposing a new round of sweeping tariffs last month.
The import duties, enacted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, target 60 economies with rates ranging from 10% to 12.5%.
"This is President Trump's third attempt to illegally impose tariffs that would make life more expensive for American families and small businesses, and this is the third time we're taking the administration to court over this misuse of power," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.
Section 301 authorizes a U.S. president to impose tariffs and other sanctions on countries found to engage in unfair trade practices. U.S. trading partners haven't done enough to crack down on imports produced with forced labor, the Trump administration said in announcing the new levies.
A White House spokesman on Monday defended the president's tariff policies.