24 States Sue to Block Trump's New Tariffs

Democratic-led coalition argues Trade Act misuse after Supreme Court rebuke

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Two dozen states are moving to put an end to President Trump's latest round of import taxes. On Thursday, 24 Democratic-led states sued his administration over the new 10% tariff on nearly all imports, arguing Trump is trying to dodge a recent Supreme Court ruling that wiped out much of his earlier tariff enactment.

Why it matters

The states want the new levies halted and any duties collected under the Trade Act repaid, arguing the focus should be on paying people back, not doubling down on illegal tariffs. This legal battle comes after the Supreme Court struck down much of Trump's earlier tariff enactment.

The details

The lawsuit, filed at the US Court of International Trade in New York, says Trump is misusing Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act, a provision meant for short-term, balance-of-payments crises—not long-running trade deficits. Courts are already sorting through roughly 2,000 business lawsuits seeking refunds on more than $130 billion in earlier tariffs the Supreme Court struck down.

  • The lawsuit was filed on Thursday, March 6, 2026.
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the 10% tariff could rise to 15% this week.

The players

President Trump

The president who imposed the new 10% tariff on nearly all imports, which the 24 Democratic-led states are suing to block.

Dan Rayfield

The Oregon Attorney General who said the focus should be on paying people back, not doubling down on illegal tariffs.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who said the president is causing more economic chaos and expecting Americans to foot the bill.

Scott Bessent

The Treasury Secretary who says the 10% tariff could rise to 15% this week.

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What they’re saying

“The focus right now should be on paying people back, not doubling down on illegal tariffs.”

— Dan Rayfield, Oregon Attorney General

“After the Supreme Court rejected his first attempt to impose sweeping tariffs, the president is causing more economic chaos and expecting Americans to foot the bill.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General (CNBC)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to halt the new tariffs and order refunds of duties collected under the Trade Act.

The takeaway

This legal battle highlights the ongoing tensions between the states and the federal government over the president's use of tariffs, with the states arguing the tariffs are illegal and the focus should be on repaying businesses, not imposing new ones.