Letitia James on Saturday welcomed a ruling from the U.S. Court of International Trade striking down a second round of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, calling the measures unlawful and harmful to consumers.
The decision marks another setback for the Trump administration’s trade agenda after a previous tariff program was challenged successfully by James and a coalition of state attorneys general at the Supreme Court.
“Once again, the courts have made clear that the president cannot unilaterally rewrite our trade laws to suit his political agenda,” James said in a statement released Saturday. “Limitless tariffs were unlawful the first time, and changing the label did not make them any less illegal the second time.”
James argued the tariffs worsened financial pressure on consumers already facing elevated costs.
“New Yorkers are already paying too much for groceries, housing, energy, and everyday essentials,” she said. “President Trump’s reckless tariffs have driven prices even higher for families and businesses across our state.”
She added that her office would continue legal efforts against the administration’s trade actions.
“We will keep fighting to stop this administration from abusing its power and forcing working people to pay the price,” James said.
The dispute stems from a March lawsuit led by James and a coalition of 21 attorneys general, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The lawsuit sought to block a new tariff framework introduced after the administration lost an earlier Supreme Court fight over tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, commonly known as IEEPA.
Following that ruling, the Trump administration attempted to establish another set of tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The Court of International Trade ruled Saturday that the new proclamation also exceeded presidential authority.
The ruling is expected to intensify the broader legal and political battle over executive power in trade policy as states and businesses continue challenging the administration’s tariff strategy.
