25 US states jointly sue US government for new tariff measures

New York, August 3 (Xinhua) -25 states in the United States have filed a joint lawsuit with the United States International Trade Court on August 3, requesting a ruling that the tariffs imposed by the US government on 60 countries and regions on the grounds of so-called "forced labor" are illegal and should be abolished, while suspending the implementation of the tariffs during judicial review.

The states that participated in the lawsuit on that day included 25 Democratic controlled states, including New York, Oregon, Arizona, California, Colorado, and Connecticut. The indictment states that the US government has once again imposed tariffs on dozens of countries and regions, which will increase costs for American consumers and businesses. The latest tariff measures of the US government do not comply with the requirements of Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, and only continue to implement its illegal tariff program under the pretext of "forced labor". These states are demanding that the US government refund the tariffs already imposed on them.

Previously, the US Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not authorize the President to impose large-scale tariffs; The US International Trade Court also found that the legal basis for the US government to impose a 10% global import tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act was not established.

New York Governor Casey Hochul said in a statement that the US government's tariff measures have pushed up the cost of household essentials, groceries, and other daily necessities, effectively taxing hardworking American families. The Supreme Court ruling clearly indicates that the US government cannot ignore the law and impose tariffs on a large scale

On July 23, the Office of the United States Trade Representative issued a statement announcing the imposition of tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on 60 countries and regions under the pretext of "forced labor" under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, in place of the global import tariffs that expire on July 24. The new tariffs came into effect on July 24th. Several companies have initiated two lawsuits in the US International Trade Court, requesting the court to rule on the suspension or revocation of this new tariff measure.