The New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), a conservative legal organization, filed a lawsuit in a Florida federal court on Thursday, asserting that the tariffs on Chinese imports exceed the president's legal authority. The lawsuit, deemed the first of its kind to directly contest these tariffs, alleges that President Trump has overstepped his constitutional powers by enacting sweeping duties on Chinese goods.

The core of the NCLA's argument revolves around the assertion that Trump lacked the requisite legal mandate to impose the tariffs unveiled on Wednesday, as well as those authorized under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on February 1. Andrew Morris, senior litigation counsel for the NCLA, stated, "By invoking emergency power to impose an across-the-board tariff on imports from China that the statute does not authorize, President Trump has misused that power, usurped Congress’s right to control tariffs, and upset the Constitution’s separation of powers."

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Simplified, a Florida-based retailer specializing in home management products, highlighting the direct impact of these tariffs on American businesses. The suit specifically targets Trump's recent announcement of a 34% tariff on Chinese imports, which, when combined with the previously imposed 20%, brings the total new levies to a substantial 54%.

The NCLA argues that the power to impose tariffs resides with Congress, and presidential actions must adhere to established trade statutes that outline specific conditions and procedures for such measures. These statutes typically necessitate thorough investigations, detailed factual findings, and a clear connection between the statutory authority and the scope of the tariff. The legal challenge contends that the IEEPA, invoked by Trump, has never been used to impose tariffs and permits presidential actions only in response to specific emergencies.

Trump's justification for the tariffs centers on China's alleged role in the U.S. opioid crisis, framing the tariffs as a tool to address the influx of deadly drugs. However, the lawsuit argues that this justification is a mere pretext, masking the administration's true objectives of reducing the U.S. trade deficit and generating tax revenue.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Kent Wetherell, a Trump appointee who previously gained attention for halting a critical aspect of former President Joe Biden's immigration policy in 2023. This assignment adds another layer of intrigue to the case, as the judge's past rulings suggest a willingness to scrutinize executive actions.

The lawsuit seeks a judicial order to block the implementation and enforcement of the tariffs and to reverse Trump's changes to the U.S. tariff schedule.