A human rights group has filed a lawsuit with the U.S. Court of International Trade to block President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on foreign goods, arguing that the president has overstepped his authority, Reuters reports.
The nonpartisan Liberty Justice Center filed the lawsuit on behalf of five small U.S. companies that import goods from countries affected by the tariffs. The companies range from a New York wine and spirits importer to a Virginia maker of educational kits and musical instruments.
The lawsuit challenges the tariffs Trump imposed on April 2, "Independence Day," as well as separate tariffs against China.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields defended Trump's tariffs.
"Trump's supporters may not always agree with him, but President Trump is standing up for American businesses by ending the exploitation of the United States by our trading partners, especially China. His plan creates a level playing field for businesses and workers by addressing the country's chronic trade deficit crisis," Fields said.
