ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE WAR… AND WARNINGS FROM OFFICIALS ON PRICE GOUGING. VERMONT IS JOINING MORE THAN 20 STATES IN A NEW LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES IS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THIS LAWSUIT. THE STATES ARE CHALLENGING PRESIDENT TRUMP’S PLANNED 15-PERCENT TARIFFS… IMPOSED UNDER THE TRADE ACT OF 1974. THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS HIS TARIFFS ARE áILLEGAL. AND THAT THE PRESIDENT IS OVERSTEPPING HIS AUTHORIT
New York, Vermont sue Trump administration over latest round of tariffs
Updated: 4:19 PM EST Mar 5, 2026
Clark and Letitia James are among nearly two dozen attorneys generals across the country who are suing the Trump administration over tariffs.Top video: Vermont business awaits tariff refund decision after paying thousands in feesVermont and New York are seeking to block Trump’s new announcement to impose a 15% tariff on most products worldwide. That decision came after the United States Supreme Court declared Trump’s previous tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal.The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s attempts to impose new tariffs are illegal without congressional approval. The suit also says that the tariffs violate the Administrative Procedure Act.Trump has said the tariffs are essential to reduce America’s longstanding trade deficits. He imposed duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs he imposed last year under an emergency powers law.Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%. They are limited to five months unless extended by Congress.The new suit argues that Trump can’t pivot to Section 122 because it was intended to be used only in specific, limited circumstances — not for sweeping import taxes. It also contends the tariffs will drive up costs for states, businesses and consumers. Attorneys generals from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania are part of the lawsuit.James, as well as 11 other attorneys generals including Charity Clark, sued to stop Trump’s tariffs in April 2025 as well.Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
MONTPELIER, Vt. —
Clark and Letitia James are among nearly two dozen attorneys generals across the country who are suing the Trump administration over tariffs.
Top video: Vermont business awaits tariff refund decision after paying thousands in fees
Vermont and New York are seeking to block Trump’s new announcement to impose a 15% tariff on most products worldwide. That decision came after the United States Supreme Court declared Trump’s previous tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal.
The lawsuit alleges that Trump’s attempts to impose new tariffs are illegal without congressional approval. The suit also says that the tariffs violate the Administrative Procedure Act.
Trump has said the tariffs are essential to reduce America’s longstanding trade deficits. He imposed duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs he imposed last year under an emergency powers law.
Section 122, which has never been invoked, allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15%. They are limited to five months unless extended by Congress.
The new suit argues that Trump can’t pivot to Section 122 because it was intended to be used only in specific, limited circumstances — not for sweeping import taxes. It also contends the tariffs will drive up costs for states, businesses and consumers.
Attorneys generals from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania are part of the lawsuit.
James, as well as 11 other attorneys generals including Charity Clark, sued to stop Trump’s tariffs in April 2025 as well.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.