Several U.S. small businesses filed a lawsuit against the government in the U.S. Court of International Trade on Monday, arguing that the presidential administration lacks the authority to impose broad tariffs without congressional approval.
The litigation was initiated by the Liberty Justice Center, a non-profit, non-partisan litigation organization, on behalf of five small U.S. firms, according to reports. They are seeking to block the government's tariff measures under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
The center contends that the U.S. trade deficit, which has existed for decades, does not constitute an emergency or an unusual threat. Moreover, it asserts that IEEPA does not authorize the president to implement comprehensive tariff measures, and there is no provision in the act that grants the power to levy tariffs at all.
The businesses involved in the lawsuit claim to have suffered severe damage from the additional tariffs. One of the companies stated that it has already paid an extra 25,000 U.S. dollars in tariffs for imported goods this year, and is projected to face 1.2 million U.S. dollars in tariff costs in 2026, making it difficult for the business to survive.
On April 2, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order invoking IEEPA to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs on global trading partners, a move that has sparked strong discontent both domestically and internationally, as well as causing significant turmoil in financial markets.
US small businesses sue over Trump Administration's tariff policies
The 4th China (Anhui) Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Transformation Fair, which kicked off on Sunday in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, has gathered sci-tech innovation resources from across the country, demonstrating robust technological strengths and their application potential.
The three-day fair features eight exhibition zones, showcasing over 2,800 high-quality achievements from more than 1,000 organizations. Notably, over 30 percent of the exhibits are debuting at a national-level event.
During the fair, 13 specialized matchmaking events will be held, covering key fields including artificial intelligence, nuclear fusion energy, and low-altitude economy. These sessions aim to further link national innovation resources and facilitate the translation of more sci-tech achievements into industrial applications in Anhui.
"High-quality outcomes from the three comprehensive national sci-tech innovation centers -- the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area -- along with cutting-edge achievements from 31 top-tier universities both within and outside Anhui -- are being showcased at the fair. This represents a remarkable convergence of the country's top sci-tech innovation resources," said Chen Longsheng, deputy director of the Anhui Provincial Department of Science and Technology.
Additionally, a dedicated interactive zone has been set up in the main exhibition hall, spotlighting the latest advancements in intelligent robotics. Visitors can engage in immersive, hands-on experiences to gain an up-close appreciation of how technological progress is shaping a better quality of life.
The China (Anhui) Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Transformation Fair serves as an important window to showcase cutting-edge sci-tech innovations and a key platform for business matchmaking and transactions, helping to deepen the integration between technological innovation and industrial growth.
Having been successfully held three times previously, the fair has drawn participants from national ministries, prestigious universities and research institutes, tech companies, and investment and financing institutions. Over its previous editions, the fair has facilitated the signing of 780 technology projects, with a total value approaching 230 billion yuan (about 33.64 billion U.S. dollars).
National sci-tech innovation resources converge at east China's Anhui tech fair
