Twelve U.S. states ask court to strike down Trump's tariffs

The U.S. Court of International Trade on Wednesday held the first hearing on a lawsuit brought by a dozen of U.S. states against President Donald Trump's administration over "illegal tariffs".

A three-judge panel at the court heard arguments and asked questions on both sides.

Attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont filed the lawsuit on April 23 to seek a court order to block the Trump administration from enacting the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" that Trump announced on April 2.

On behalf of the states, attorney Brian Marshall from Oregon argued that Trump has incorrectly invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which was enacted in 1977 to limit -- rather than expand -- the emergency economic powers that it had delegated to the President under the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA).

According to law, an emergency is triggered by an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the U.S., but the trade deficit does not meet that requirement, Marshall said, adding the Trump administration is using tariffs for leverage, which suggests the U.S. is not in an emergency. The Trump administration said tariffs are used to regulate international trade, arguing that the President has the power to declare an emergency and announce measures, and only Congress, not the courts, can determine whether the President's rationale for declaring an emergency complies with the law.

"We have amazing attorneys here at the Oregon Department of Justice, and we are very confident in our arguments, and it went very well today," said Oregon's attorney general Dan Rayfield.

Rayfield has noted that Trump's tariffs will raise the cost of living for the American families by an average of 3,800 U.S. dollars a year.

The Trump administration is facing at least seven legal challenges against its tariffs. Last week, the trade court held a hearing in a similar challenge brought by five small businesses.

Twelve U.S. states ask court to strike down Trump's tariffs

Twelve U.S. states ask court to strike down Trump's tariffs

Twelve U.S. states ask court to strike down Trump's tariffs

Protesters filled Mexico City's Paseo de la Reforma on Saturday, rallying in solidarity with Venezuela and denouncing U.S. influence in Latin America.

The United States launched a large-scale military operation against Venezuela in the early hours of Jan 3, taking by force Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Holding numerous flags and banners while chanting slogans intermittently, a huge crowd of protesters criticized U.S. military actions against Venezuela and the unlawful control over President Maduro and his spouse, calling for respect for national sovereignty and regional peace.

"We oppose the U.S. intervention and hegemony towards the countries in Latin America. The United States has flagrantly trampled on international law, bombed Caracas and kidnapped the Maduro couple. The U.S. interventionism has become extremely blatant. We must firmly oppose and be highly vigilant, because this is not only related to a certain country, but also to all countries," said a protester.

"We demand that the United States stop interfering in Venezuela's internal affairs. The country must immediately cease its exploitation and plundering of the countries in Latin America," said another protester.

Protest erupts in Mexico City over US military operation in Venezuela