Lawsuit filed against Trump administration over Chinese import tariffs

From Yahoo Finance: 2025-04-03 19:04:00

New Civil Liberties Alliance files lawsuit blocking Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, claiming overreach of presidential authority. Lawsuit alleges lack of legal authority for tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. White House yet to comment. Lawsuit seeks to block tariffs and undo changes to U.S. tariff schedule.

Trump imposes 34% tariff on China, totaling 54%, prompting lawsuit from Simplified, a Florida retailer. Lawsuit argues presidents can only impose tariffs with Congress’ permission under specific trade statutes. Law Trump invoked never used for tariffs, deemed a pretext for reducing trade deficits and raising tax revenue.

Case assigned to U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell, a Trump appointee who had halted a key part of former President Joe Biden’s immigration policy in 2023. Lawsuit argues tariffs are not authorized under specific statutes and are a pretext for reducing trade deficits and raising tax revenue.

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