Arizona Joins 21 States Urging U.S. Trade Representative to Drop New Tariffs

PHOENIX, Arizona — Attorney General Kris Mayes and a coalition of 21 other states are urging the U.S. Trade Representative to abandon a new round of tariffs, arguing the plan is illegal and unsupported by evidence.

In a comment letter, the states pushed back on a proposal that would impose 10 percent tariffs on 14 economies and 12.5 percent on 46 others, covering the European Union and 59 additional countries that together account for 99.4 percent of all U.S. imports. The coalition says the move revives tariffs that federal courts have already struck down twice this year.

Mayes says the tariffs ultimately fall on American households and businesses. A Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis cited by the attorney general's office found that nearly 90 percent of tariff costs in 2025 were borne by U.S. consumers and companies.

"Arizonans are done paying the price for this administration's lawlessness, and I will keep fighting to stop it," Mayes said.

The letter is led by Mayes alongside the attorneys general of Oregon and California, with states including Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Washington and Wisconsin also signing on.

Queen Creek, in the Phoenix metro area, is home to households and small businesses that the attorney general's office says would absorb the higher costs from the proposed tariffs on imported goods.

Sources:

https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-urges-us-trade-representative-stop-hitting-american-consumers