Twenty five US states sued the administration of US President Donald Trump on Monday over new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners.
The tariffs came into effect in July, targeting countries including the UK, China as well as the European Union, over Washington’s contention that they have failed to properly tackle forced labour.
In a legal document seen by the BBC, the coalition of Democratic states said the decision was “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.”
In response, White House spokesman Kush Desai said: “The US is using its lawful authority” to address practices that burden American businesses.
Desai added that any foreign country’s failing to deal with the importation of goods produced with forced labour was “unreasonable” and must be addressed.
The duties cover 99.4% of US imports, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative.
“President Trump’s illegal tariffs are nothing more than a tax on hardworking families,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
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