State AGs Sue Trump Administration Over Tariffs

MA Attorney General Press Releases

Filed March 5th, 2026

Detected March 6th, 2026

Summary

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, joined by 23 other states, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's latest round of tariffs. The coalition argues these tariffs were imposed without congressional approval and unlawfully increase costs for American consumers and businesses.

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What changed

A coalition of 24 states, led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging the Trump Administration's recent imposition of tariffs. The lawsuit contends that these tariffs, enacted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, exceed the administration's statutory authority and violate the Administrative Procedure Act, as they were implemented without congressional approval and are based on a misinterpretation of "balance-of-payments deficits." The states argue that these tariffs unlawfully increase prices for American consumers and businesses, citing a Federal Reserve analysis that nearly 90 percent of the costs are borne domestically.

Regulated entities, particularly importers and exporters, should monitor the progress of this lawsuit as it could impact current and future tariff obligations. While no specific compliance deadline is mentioned, the legal challenge seeks to block the tariffs, potentially leading to their removal or modification. Non-compliance with existing tariffs could lead to increased costs or other trade-related penalties, though the lawsuit itself aims to prevent further unlawful impositions.

What to do next

Monitor legal developments in the U.S. Court of International Trade regarding the tariff challenge.
Assess potential financial impacts of ongoing tariffs on imported/exported goods.

Source document (simplified)

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Press Release

Press Release AG Campbell Sues Trump Administration To Stop Latest Round Of Illegal Tariffs

Lawsuit Seeks to Block Illegal Tariffs that are Increasing Prices for American Consumers and Businesses

For immediate release: 3/05/2026
- Office of the Attorney General

Media Contact

Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary

Phone

Call Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at Allie.Zuliani@mass.gov

Boston — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell today joined a coalition of 24 states in filing a lawsuit to block President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on American consumers and businesses. The case challenges President Trump’s most recent efforts to increase tariffs worldwide without congressional approval.

“At a time when affordability is the number one issue facing Massachusetts residents, it’s unconscionable that the Trump Administration continues to raise costs by attempting to impose yet another round of unlawful tariffs,” said AG Campbell. “As Attorney General, I’m fighting every day to lower housing prices, protect consumers, empower businesses, and make life more affordable for our residents. Massachusetts residents deserve a president who is willing to partner with us in that mission, not actively work against it.”

For more than a year, President Trump has inflicted chaos on the American economy by imposing tariffs without the legal authority to do so. Initially, the President claimed that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) allowed him to impose tariffs of any amount, on any product, from any country, for any length of time. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court rejected that argument, concluding that the IEEPA tariffs were unlawful.

Rather than accepting that loss in court, President Trump immediately turned to a separate law that has never been used before—Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—and announced 15 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, seemingly to address trade deficits. But Section 122 does not apply. That law authorizes tariffs in limited circumstances, including when there are “large and serious balance-of-payments deficits.” Notably, a trade deficit is not a balance-of-payment deficit, meaning that once again the President is acting unlawfully.

A recent analysis by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concluded that nearly 90 percent of the costs of tariffs in 2025 were paid by American consumers and businesses. By imposing another round of price increases on American consumers and businesses, President Trump is doubling down on failed economic policies.

In Massachusetts, President Trump’s tariffs on Canadian fuels last year threatened to raise gas and home heating prices on consumers by hundreds of millions of dollars, in addition to raising costs on other goods like dairy, lumber, cars, and seafood.

The coalition’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, contends that the Trump Administration’s actions exceed its statutory authority, upend constitutional separation of powers, and violate the Administrative Procedure Act.

Joining AG Campbell in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Media Contact

Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary

Phone

Call Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at Allie.Zuliani@mass.gov

Office of the Attorney General

The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Media Contact

Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary

Phone

Call Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

Online

Email Allie Zuliani, Deputy Press Secretary at Allie.Zuliani@mass.gov

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