August 3, 2026
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan has joined a coalition of 25 states in filing a new lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's latest round of tariffs, arguing the federal government exceeded its legal authority by imposing broad import duties on products from more than 80 countries.
The complaint, filed Monday in the U.S. Court of International Trade, contends the new tariffs violate federal law and the Administrative Procedure Act. The states argue the tariffs are effectively a continuation of earlier trade policies that federal courts have already ruled unlawful.
The lawsuit targets tariffs of 10% and 12.5% imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. According to the complaint, the tariffs apply to imports from economies representing approximately 99.4% of all U.S. imports, making them among the broadest trade actions ever implemented under the statute.
Michigan officials argue the tariffs will increase costs for consumers and businesses by raising prices on imported goods. Because Michigan has one of the nation's largest manufacturing sectors and ranks among the country's top importing states, officials say the state is particularly vulnerable to higher supply chain costs that can affect manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
The legal challenge follows a series of previous court rulings involving the administration's tariff policies. According to the complaint, the administration initially relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs, but those actions were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. A subsequent effort using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 was also invalidated by the U.S. Court of International Trade. The new lawsuit argues that the administration is attempting to continue essentially the same tariff program through a different statutory authority.
The states contend the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative justified the latest tariffs as a response to concerns over forced labor in global supply chains but failed to establish a meaningful connection between the broad tariffs and that objective. The complaint argues the investigation leading to the tariffs was rushed, lacked individualized analysis of the countries involved, and resulted in blanket tariff rates that bear little relationship to the stated purpose of combating forced labor.
The lawsuit also alleges the federal government failed to comply with procedural requirements established under Section 301, including conducting adequate investigations, meaningful consultations with affected trading partners and tailoring any trade action to address specific unfair trade practices. Instead, the states argue the tariffs represent an unlawful expansion of executive authority over trade policy.
According to the complaint, the tariff action imposes nearly identical rates across dozens of economies despite significant differences in their trade policies and efforts to combat forced labor. The states argue the lack of differentiation demonstrates the tariffs are arbitrary and capricious rather than targeted responses authorized by Congress.
The coalition further maintains that the tariffs will primarily burden American consumers and businesses rather than foreign producers. State officials cited research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concluding that nearly 90% of tariff costs imposed in 2025 were ultimately paid by U.S. consumers and businesses through higher prices.
The lawsuit asks the U.S. Court of International Trade to declare the tariffs unlawful and prevent the federal government from enforcing them.
In addition to Michigan, the plaintiffs include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, along with the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. The case is being heard by the U.S. Court of International Trade.
