Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 13 that he, along with a coalition of 24 states, has asked the U.S. Court of International Trade to block President Trump’s latest round of tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses.
The request follows a lawsuit filed earlier this month challenging the legality of the new tariffs. The issue is significant because it could affect prices for consumers and costs for state governments across the country. Economic analysis submitted to the court indicates that state governments in the plaintiff states could face at least $748 million per year in additional costs due to these tariffs, while research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that nearly 90% of last year’s tariff costs were paid by American consumers and businesses.
“Despite our clear and decisive Supreme Court win in our first illegal tariffs lawsuit, President Trump has doubled down on his failed economic policies by imposing another round of price increases on Americans,” Raoul said. “Since the Trade Act of 1974 was enacted, no prior president has attempted to use the extraordinary power of Section 122 to unilaterally impose sweeping, arbitrary tariffs. I will continue to fight to prevent hardworking Americans from footing the bill for the Trump administration’s unlawful tariffs.”
Raoul said that after losing a Supreme Court case in February regarding previous tariff attempts under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), President Trump is now trying to use Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—a provision never before used—to impose a 10% tariff on most products worldwide. According to Raoul and other attorneys general, Section 122 only allows such action when there are large and serious balance-of-payment deficits, not trade deficits.
The Illinois Department of Transportation estimated that earlier rounds of tariffs would have increased state transportation project costs by $249 million to $585 million over two years. The Supreme Court decision last month may have reduced some expenses for construction projects and technology, but Raoul said new tariffs again threaten Illinois’ economy.
The Illinois Attorney General’s office advocates for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants, and seniors according to its official website. It handles thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aims to protect consumers and promote safer communities according to its official website, extends advocacy efforts statewide according to its official website, partners with law enforcement agencies according to its official website, and offers services such as complaint filing for consumer fraud and civil rights issues according to its official website.
Today’s motion asks federal agencies be ordered by summary judgment or preliminary injunction not to collect these new tariffs while litigation continues.
