Gov. Andy Beshear has been adamant in his opposition to the tariffs, which have been enacted using different rationales. But no matter which mechanism the administration cites, the governor has called tariff policy "the worst economic policy in my lifetime."
In February, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the president's tariffs, saying he exceeded the powers granted in the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
Now President Donald Trump is invoking the Trade Act of 1974, based on claims that the US's economic partners have failed to properly tackle forced labor.
Kentucky is among the states filing suit, arguing the new tariffs are a pretext for replacing the previous round of import taxes.
The United States imposed double-digit tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union last month under the new rationale.