A dozen US states want to stop President Trump’s customs policy and complain against the government. Trump, however, continues to focus on threats: If talks do not progress, he soon wants to determine tariffs again.
Twelve US states have filed a lawsuit against the US government’s customs policy in New York. The policy introduced by Trump was subject to the President’s moods, illegal and overthrew the American economy into chaos, it said in the Scripture submitted on Wednesday before the US Court of International Trade.
In a message, the Attorney General of Arizona, Kris Mayes, described Trump’s customs plan as “insane”. She said it was “not only economically ruthless – it is illegal”.
The lawsuit questions Trump’s authority
The lawsuit also questions Trump’s claim that it can arbitrarily impose tariffs based on the International Emergency Economic Powers. Only the congress had the authority to impose tariffs – the president could only rely on the law if an emergency represents an “extraordinary threat” from abroad.
The Attorney General of Connecticut, William Tong, said Trump’s “Lawless and Chaotic Customs” are a disaster for families and companies in his state.
California filed a lawsuit last week
The states listed in the lawsuit as plaintiff are Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont. The US Ministry of Justice did not initially comment on it.
Last week, the California governor Gavin Newsom had already filed a lawsuit against Trump’s customs policy in California and explained that his state, as the largest importer in the country, could lose income in billions.
Trump threatens to determine tariffs
Meanwhile, the US President has pressure on negotiations with his trading partners: “If we have no agreement with a company or a country, we will set customs. We simply set the customs,” said Trump. This will happen in the next two to three weeks. There is currently a 90-day break of the announced US tariffs.
Special tariffs of up to 145 percent still apply only on products from China. According to Trump, the USA and China are in daily contact. When asked by a journalist whether there was any direct contact with China in the trade conflict, Trump replied: “Yes, of course. And every day, every day.”
