Arizona AG Mayes joins 21 states pushing back on new tariffs | Community - EUROPE SAYS
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KVOA) – Attorney General Kris Mayes is pushing back against federal tariff policies she claims are unlawfully burdening consumers and businesses across the state. Mayes joined 21 other states. . .
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KVOA) – Attorney General Kris Mayes is pushing back against federal tariff policies she claims are unlawfully burdening consumers and businesses across the state. Mayes joined 21 other states in submitting a comment letter to the United States Trade Representative, challenging proposed tariffs on the European Union and 59 additional countries. The coalition argues these tariffs lack legal authority following two separate court rulings earlier this year that struck down previous tariff attempts. “For more than a year, Donald Trump has ignored the courts and the Constitution to unlawfully tax American families and businesses,” Mayes said. “Arizonans are done paying the price for this administration’s lawlessness, and I will keep fighting to stop it. ”The letter outlines a timeline of tariff implementations spanning more than a year. President Trump initially relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, but the Supreme Court ruled that approach unlawful in February. The administration then shifted to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, a provision never previously used for tariffs, announcing 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, but Arizona and 23 other states successfully challenged those as well, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. The current proposal stems from a USTR investigation into whether 60 countries are adequately combating forced labor in global trade. According to the letter, the investigation concluded with recommendations for 10 percent tariffs on 14 economies and 12. 5 percent tariffs on 46 others. The targeted countries represent 99. 4 percent of all U. S. imports. Courtesy: Arizona Attorney General’s OfficeResearch from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that American consumers and businesses paid nearly 90 percent of tariff costs in 2025. The states’ letter argues the latest tariff round exceeds congressional authority granted to the USTR and lacks supporting evidence. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are co-leading the effort alongside Mayes. Attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin also signed the letter.