Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration joined another lawsuit against the White House on Thursday, this time suing President Donald Trump over a new batch of tariffs he’s seeking to implement after the Supreme Court struck down his initial attempt.
Last year, the president instituted a broad 10% tariff on most imports, arguing the International Emergency Economic Powers Act authorized him to do so — but last month, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled the move to be illegal and struck down the majority of his tariff regime. The Trump administration said it expects to implement a 15% tariff this week under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, though it acknowledges that the legal authority lasts 150 days unless Congress intervenes.
New Jersey and 23 other states filed suit in the United States Court of International Trade, arguing that Section 122 does authorize the new batch of tariffs. They argue the law only allows tariffs to address “large and serious balance-of-payments deficits,” and that a trade deficit is not a balance-of-payment deficit.
“Like the rest of our country, New Jersey is in the midst of an affordability crisis. Yet instead of finding ways to lower the costs of groceries or utilities, President Trump is back to levying unlawful tariffs – again,” Sherrill said. “We cannot depend on the Trump Administration to fight for working families, but I will.”
Democrats have criticized the president’s tariff regime, saying it increases costs for New Jerseyans.
“Tariffs raise prices for hard-working families and businesses across New Jersey,” Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said. “I will keep fighting against the imposition of unnecessary and illegal costs on our consumers. We’re going to court to protect our state from these illogical and illegal tariffs.”
A judge in the Court of International Trade has taken steps to begin refunds for importers impacted by last year’s round of tariffs, according to the New York Times.
