TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined a coalition of state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s latest tariffs, arguing the measures were imposed without proper congressional authority.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, contests the administration’s decision to impose 15% tariffs on most imported products worldwide under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
State officials say the case seeks to block the tariffs, contending the law cited by the administration does not apply to trade deficits and was not intended to authorize such broad trade actions.
According to the complaint, President Donald Trump previously attempted to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. That approach was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court two weeks ago, which concluded the tariffs imposed under that law were unlawful.
Following that decision, the administration turned to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose the new tariffs.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill said the tariffs could worsen economic pressures facing residents.
“Like the rest of our country, New Jersey is in the midst of an affordability crisis,” Sherrill said in a statement. “Instead of finding ways to lower costs, the administration has imposed tariffs that could increase prices.”
Davenport said the lawsuit aims to prevent additional costs for consumers and businesses.
“Tariffs raise prices for families and businesses across New Jersey,” Davenport said. “We are going to court to challenge what we believe are unlawful tariffs.”
The lawsuit argues that Section 122 allows tariffs only under limited circumstances, including large balance-of-payments deficits, and that the current situation does not meet that threshold.
State officials also cited research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicating that most of the cost of tariffs is ultimately paid by U.S. consumers and businesses.
According to the complaint, the tariffs could also increase costs for state government purchases, including vehicles, equipment and other goods.
The case, State of Oregon et al. v. Trump et al., was filed by a coalition of states including Oregon, Arizona, California, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania also joined the lawsuit.
The lawsuit asks the court to block the tariffs, arguing they violate federal law and the constitutional separation of powers.
