(The Center Square) – Litigation to stop import taxes and sanctions against countries engaging in unfair trade practices has been joined by North Carolina.
The state had nearly $3.5 billion in tariffs last year.
First-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson, in making the state a plaintiff, said the tariffs from the Trump administration “are making things harder for North Carolinians.” Filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, defendants are President Donald Trump, trade representative Jamieson Greer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, and the CBP agency.
Relief is sought to call the tariff actions unlawful, vacate them and set them aside; and to award refunds to plaintiff states for tariffs paid.
The administration enacted tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 from 10% to 12.5% on countries providing 99% of American imports following the July 24 expiration of 10% worldwide tariffs. Those were levied when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act could not be authorized.
“These tariffs are hurting families, farmers, and business owners,” said Jackson. “They’re illegal, and they’re making things harder for North Carolinians who are working around the clock to keep the lights on, pay rent, and afford gas. We’re going to court to protect our state.”
Twenty-five states total are plaintiffs, with the trio of Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Arizona Attorney General Kristin Mayes and California Attorney General Rob Bonta leading the litigation filing.
