Sign in Subscribe
Attorneys general

Arizona Attorney General Leads Coalition in Challenging Trump's Illegal Tariffs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes led a coalition of attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to halt the implementation of President Trump's tariffs, which were imposed without congressional action. The tariffs, imposed under four executive orders, include 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. The motion asks the U.S. Court of International Trade to order federal agencies to stop collecting these tariffs, which the states argue are unconstitutional and economically disastrous.

Key Takeaways:

  • The motion, part of the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Mayes, seeks a court order pausing the tariffs imposed under four of President Trump's executive orders without congressional action.
  • The 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.
  • Economic analysis submitted to the court shows that state and local governments in the 12 states joining the motion stand to pay at least $3.4 billion per year in additional costs due to the tariffs.
  • Businesses expect to pass through additional costs to customers, with elevated input cost growth resulting from tariffs, according to a Federal Reserve report.
  • Only Congress has the power to impose taxes like these, and President Trump's attempt to sidestep that authority is both unconstitutional and economically disastrous.
  • The lawsuit, entitled State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. (Case No. 1:25-cv-00077-GSK-TMR-JAR), is pending before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade.
  • The case is led by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, with 10 other attorneys general joining the lawsuit.

Statistics:

  • The tariffs impose a 145 percent tariff on most products from China.
  • A 25 percent tariff on most products from Canada and Mexico.
  • 10 percent tariffs on most products from the rest of the world.
  • $3.4 billion per year in additional costs to state and local governments due to the tariffs.
  • Businesses expect elevated input cost growth resulting from tariffs, according to a Federal Reserve report.
  • Most businesses expect to pass through additional costs to customers.
  • The lawsuit is pending before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Sources:

  • State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. (Case No. 1:25-cv-00077-GSK-TMR-JAR)
  • Federal Reserve report
  • International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
  • U.S. Constitution, Article I

Read more