Attorney General Bonta Issues Statement on Ongoing Tariffs Lawsuit: California Will Keep Fighting on All Fronts

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Bonta today issued a statement after a judge granted California's request for dismissal to allow it to appeal its case challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal tariffs following a hearing last week. The hearing centered around the Trump Administration’s motion asking that the case be transferred to the Court of International Trade — a motion that California opposed. Rather than transferring the case to the Court of International Trade, California asked the judge to dismiss the case for the purpose of seeking appellate review of the question about where this case should be brought. The dismissal today keeps the case in California and allows California to appeal to the Ninth Circuit, which it plans to do immediately. 

“Today, our lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s disastrous and illegal tariffs was allowed to remain in California pending our incoming appeal. We strongly believe this case belongs in federal district court and are pleased the court considered our wishes in dismissing this case so we have the opportunity to seek review. Our argument is straightforward: Trump doesn’t have the authority to impose these destructive tariffs — the International Emergency Economic Powers Act simply does not authorize tariffs,” said Attorney General Bonta. “We remain confident in the strength of our case and look forward to continuing to fight for California's vibrant economy, businesses, workers, and families.”

On April 16, Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unlawful use of power to impose tariffs without the consent of Congress. Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom also filed an amicus brief in the Court of International Trade in Oregon v. Trump, a case challenging President Trump’s illegal imposition of tariffs. The tariffs challenged under California’s current lawsuit are projected to cost California consumers $25 billion dollars and result in the loss of over 64,000 jobs. The totality of the Trump Administration's tariff regime is expected to cost households approximately $40 billion. 

A copy of the order can be found here.