Trump suggests China tariffs will ‘come down substantially’
President Donald Trump suggested the China tariffs will “come down substantially.”
DENVER ‒ A coalition of Democrat-governed states is suing to halt President Donald Trump’s international trade tariffs, arguing only Congress has the power to levy them.
The lawsuit filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade says Trump’s tariffs ‒ many of which have not yet come into force ‒ have injected massive uncertainty into the nation’s economy.
Trump argues tariffs will make the United States rich enough to reduce its reliance on income taxes. In general, tariffs are passed along to consumers when companies increase selling prices to cover their costs.
The April 23 suit was brought by Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont. California filed a separate lawsuit over the tariffs earlier this month. Many of those same states have also sued Trump over other executive actions, from international student visa cancellations to federal funding halts.
“Today, Colorado is standing up against President Trump’s recessionary tariff tax increase, which has been disastrous and is jeopardizing both U.S. leadership and the world economy,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. “We will do everything we can legally to prevent tariffs that are bad for businesses and all Americans.”
Trump announced the tariffs earlier this month on what he dubbed “Liberation Day,” and argued other countries have unfairly traded with the United States. He cited an emergency authority granted by Congress, which the 12 Democratic states said he is misusing.
Trump argues the tariffs will encourage companies to make more products in the United States, and said many world leaders have asked the White House to negotiate.
“It’s good to see that the world knows we are serious, because WE ARE!” Trump said in an April 20 social media post. “They must right the wrongs of decades of abuse, but it won’t be easy for them. We must rebuild the wealth of our great country, and create true RECIPROCITY. But for those who want the easiest path: Come to America, and build in America!”