Trump's tariff policy triggers backlash: 12 states in the U.S. jointly sue the Trump administration, accusing it of illegal reciprocal tariff policies.

Recently, legal disputes have arisen in the United States due to tariff policies. The attorneys general of 12 states have united to file a lawsuit against the federal government, arguing that the "reciprocal tariff" policy implemented by the Trump administration violates the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit points out that, according to the U.S. Constitution, the power to set tariffs is exclusive to Congress, and the President can only invoke emergency powers when faced with "unusual and extraordinary threats" from abroad.

The Trump administration imposed huge and constantly changing tariffs on any goods entering the United States, undermining the constitutional order and causing chaos in the American economy.

The following is a detailed report from Xinhua News Agency on this event:

Twelve states in the United States jointly sue the federal government for illegal "reciprocal tariffs."

Twelve states in the United States formed an alliance to jointly sue the Trump administration on the 23rd, accusing its tariff policy of being illegal.

The attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and Vermont filed a lawsuit that day in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York, claiming that the Trump administration's tariff policy is "a whim, not a legitimate exercise of lawful authority," and requesting the court to declare "reciprocal tariffs" illegal and to block their implementation.

The lawsuit points out that, according to the U.S. Constitution, the power to set tariffs is exclusive to Congress, and the President can only invoke emergency powers in the face of "extraordinary and unique threats" from abroad. The Trump administration's imposition of huge and fluctuating tariffs on any goods entering the United States has undermined constitutional order and caused chaos in the U.S. economy.

The office of New York Attorney General Letitia James stated in a statement: "Congress has never granted the president the authority to impose such tariffs. The government's implementation of these tariffs through executive orders, social media posts, and other means constitutes a violation of the law." James stated that if the Trump administration's illegal tariff policy is not stopped, it will lead to more severe inflation, unemployment, and economic losses.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated in a statement that "the reckless tariff measures of the Trump administration have led to soaring consumer costs and triggered economic chaos nationwide."

White House spokesperson Kush Desai responded to the lawsuit, claiming that the government "remains committed to addressing this national emergency that is destroying American industries and leaving our workers powerless, and we will use all means, from tariffs to negotiations."

On April 2, Trump signed an executive order, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, declaring a state of emergency in the United States and imposing so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on all trading partners. This move sparked strong opposition from the international community and various sectors within the United States, leading to significant turmoil in global financial markets.

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Reporter: Wu Xiaoling