23 States Sue Trump Over 10% to 12.5% Tariffs on 60 Countries
Updated
Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 3
23 States Sue Trump Over 10% to 12.5% Tariffs on 60 Countries
3 articles · Updated · Chicago Sun-Times · Aug 3
Summary
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined 22 other states and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in a new lawsuit challenging tariffs the Trump administration raised last month.
The suit targets duties of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries covering 99% of U.S. imports, which Washington tied to alleged failures to enforce bans on forced-labor goods.
Raoul argued the tariffs unlawfully shift costs onto consumers, businesses and Illinois agencies that buy imported goods or products with imported components, increasing spending of state tax dollars.
The challenge builds on earlier court setbacks for Trump tariffs: the Supreme Court ruled some 2025 duties unconstitutional in February, and the Court of International Trade said in March that some importers were owed refunds.
Tariff pressure has widened beyond states, with New York Fed researchers estimating the average U.S. tariff rate rose from 2.6% to 13% in 2025 and small businesses reporting debt, retirement withdrawals and price hikes.