Trump’s Tariffs Face First Legal Challenge Over Alleged Abuse of Power
The first lawsuit challenging Donald Trump’s new tariffs has officially landed, and it’s coming from a Florida business owner who says the former president went too far.
Emily Ley, the founder of a stationery brand called Simplified, has taken Trump to federal court with the help of the New Liberties Civil Alliance. She claims his steep new Tariffs especially the 20% one on Chinese imports are illegal and hurting small businesses like hers that rely on affordable overseas manufacturing.
Ley argues that Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to push the tariffs through without proper justification. That law is meant for urgent international crises, not economic policy changes. Trump has cited the opioid crisis and drug trafficking from China to justify the move, but critics say that’s just a cover for trade-related goals.
The lawsuit points out that in the nearly 50 years since the IEEPA was passed, no president has used it to slap tariffs on imports. The law doesn’t even mention tariffs. Instead, it allows for asset freezes and sanctions in emergencies not taxing Americans or businesses.
Ley said her business originally tried to manufacture in the U.S., but the costs were too high and the infrastructure wasn’t there. The new tariffs, she claims, will force her to cut jobs or raise prices.
Trump introduced the first 10% tariff on Chinese goods in February, then doubled it in March. This week, he bumped it up again, bringing the total to 54%. In response, China hit back with a 34% tariff on American exports.
So far, the White House hasn’t commented on the lawsuit.
Trump Hit with First Lawsuit Over Tariffs — Critics Say He Abused Emergency Powers
