By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Arizona is one of 25 states suing President Donald Trump’s administration over its latest round of tariffs.
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On Monday, Aug. 3, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes hosted a news conference where she argued the administration acted beyond its legal authority and that the costs will fall on consumers and small businesses.
The lawsuit
The states are asking the U.S. Court of International Trade to block the tariffs, declare them unlawful, and order refunds of duties already paid.
The new tariffs — ranging from 10% to 12.5% on goods from more than 80 countries — took effect last week.
The states are arguing the administration used Section 301 of the Trade Act and concerns over forced labor to impose them, replacing two previous rounds of tariffs that were rejected by the courts.
Mayes joined 24 other state attorneys general in the legal challenge. She said the tariffs will impact nearly every U.S. import.
“What President Trump’s new tariffs will do, and what they’ve already done, is raise prices, higher grocery bills, more expensive equipment purchased by states and small businesses, disruptions across supply chains that Americans rely on every single day,” Mayes said.
Mayes said the tariffs are also expected to drive up import costs on produce and dairy products that flow in from Mexico.
Local impact
At Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen in Tucson, manager Ivan Becerril said the restaurant has already been absorbing rising costs throughout the year.
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“All the restaurants here in Tucson have been affected by it,” Becerril said.
He said price increases have compounded across multiple categories.
“You start with transportation, with gas, with produce itself going up, I’d say some things are going 15, 20, 25, maybe upwards of 40%,” Becerril said.
For a scratch kitchen like Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, Becerril said prices on imported products like produce and dairy products have also increased.
“A lot of produce, yeah, tomatoes, limes, there was a time with eggs when prices went crazy up,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, Becerril said the restaurant is prepared to adapt.
“There’s always hope, but I mean, we have to adjust to what’s coming, and then hopefully they’ll figure it out soon,” Becerril said.
The Trump administration has argued it is acting within its authority and that the tariffs will continue to protect U.S. interests.
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