Oregon Leads 11 State Attorneys General in Victory Against Trump's Global Trade War

The United States Court of International Trade has eliminated numerous tariffs Implemented by President Donald Trump following a lawsuit filed by Oregon and multiple other state attorneys generals against these measures. The legal challenge contended that the tariffs, introduced through an executive order, were beyond the scope of authority granted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

This ruling stops current IEEPA duties and also bars Trump from imposing higher tariffs, such as the proposed 145% levies on goods coming from China and 50% taxes on products imported from the European Union, according to Oregon’s Attorney General, Dan Rayfield.

UPDATE: An appeals court has temporarily allowed Trump to keep imposing tariffs using an emergency powers statute.

The court's decision marks a win not only for Oregon, but also for working families, small enterprises, and ordinary Americans,” Rayfield stated. “The extensive tariffs imposed by President Trump were illegal, irresponsible, and had severe economic consequences. These actions led to countermeasures from other countries, raised costs of vital products, and unfairly strained American households, small companies, and producers.

We initiated this case since the Constitution does not grant any president unlimited power to disrupt the economy. This decision confirms that our laws hold weight, and that trade choices cannot be based solely on the president's discretion.

When Rayfield announced the filing In April, he charged Trump with exploiting the emergency act merely to bypass scrutiny and the protections established by Congress. He also noted that no subsequent president, following the enactment of this legislation, had utilized it to impose tariffs.

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden expressed his approval of the decision, stating, "It brings me relief that the Court of International Trade sided with us—AG Rayfield and my fellow senators—that these extensive tariffs are unlawful. Although I am certain that further legal disputes will persist, I remain dedicated to restoring Congress’s control over trade once and for all and preventing President Trump from declaring global trade wars independently."

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell from Washington expressed her approval of the decision on Thursday, stating, "I'm pleased that the Court of International Trade unanimously determined that the President overstepped his bounds. It’s crucial for trade to continue flowing through our ports. ... Furthermore, both Congress and the judiciary should carefully examine the additional tariffs the President intends to implement."

The case was headed by Rayfield along with Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, and involved the Attorneys General from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont.

The Trump administration is anticipated to file an appeal. At present, a minimum of seven legal cases are contesting these tariffs, as reported. Associated Press.

The office of the Oregon Attorney General is monitoring its participation and the progress of its legal actions against the Trump administration. in the state's Department of Justice website.