New York officials joined a lawsuit against President Trump’s tariffs on Wednesday – with Gov. Kathy Hochul calling the fees a tax hike that is stirring “economic chaos” across the US.

Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James said the Empire State is joining a legal action with 11 other states in a bid to fight back against the Trump administration slapping tariffs on imports globally.

“President Trump’s reckless tariffs have skyrocketed costs for consumers and unleashed economic chaos across the country. New York is standing up to fight back against the largest federal tax hike in American history,” Hochul said.

The states want the US Court of International Trade to stop the tariffs, including preventing the president from possibly going forward with additional duties that were paused earlier this month, officials said.

The lawsuit argues that Trump can’t impose tariffs through executive orders and instead needs Congress to also act.

State leaders warned the tariffs could cause a recession, leading to more than 35,000 lost jobs in New York City. State agencies would be forced to pony up more than $100 million in additional costs because of increased prices, they said.

“The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim, but that’s exactly what President Trump has been doing with these tariffs,” James said in a statement.

“Donald Trump promised that he would lower prices and ease the cost of living, but these illegal tariffs will have the exact opposite effect on American families.”

James, a Democrat and nemesis of Trump, is facing a criminal referral of alleged mortgage fraud – accusations she’s called baseless.

The two have long been at each other’s throats, and the animosity only grew in 2023 when James successfully sued Trump in civil court for overinflating the values of many of his properties.

James has repeatedly vowed to take on Trump in his second term while the president has taken numerous shots at the attorney general.

Hochul and Trump have also been at odds, most notably over the Big Apple’s controversial congestion pricing toll — which charges drivers entering Midtown Manhattan.  

Trump wants the $9 fee eradicated, and his administration has threatened to pull federal funding if the state keeps the toll cameras on.  

But Hochul has remained defiant and promised congestion pricing isn’t going anywhere as the two sides are locked in a court battle.

A new 10% baseline tariff on most imports remains in place while massive “reciprocal” tariffs are on hold for now to allow for 90 days of negotiations.

Canada and Mexico are both still facing 25% tariffs while all aluminum and steel imports are at the same rate. China is Trump’s biggest target with a whopping 145% rates imposed.

Other states joining the legal battle include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont. 

California Gov. Gavin Newsom sued the federal government last week over the tariff plan.

The White House has stood by its tariff plan, saying the action would provide a boost to US industries and workers.