Oregon’s AG is Leading a Coalition of 12 States Fighting Against the Implementation of “Illegal” Tariffs

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is leading a coalition of AGs in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop, what he terms, President Donald Trump’s ‘illegal tariffs.’

The motion calls on the U.S. Court of International Trade to order federal agencies to cease collecting tariffs imposed by President Trump on most products worldwide. It also requests the Court to defer President Trump’s plan to increase tariffs on imports from 56 other trading partners on 9 July.

The Trump administration intends to introduce a 145 percent tariff on most products from China, a 25 percent tariff on most products from Canada and Mexico, and 10 percent tariffs on products from the rest of the world.

Tariffs Could Add $3,800 Annually to Household Bills

An analysis by ‘thebudgetlab’ found that the tariffs will add $3,800 annually to the cost of running average Oregon households – ‘I don’t know many families who can afford an extra $3800 a year,’ says Rayfield, adding that small businesses are also suffering.

The Attorney General says Oregon state agencies and universities will also face significant cost increases that will result in reduced services or delayed investments.

The joint motion by the AGs of 12 states includes an economic analysis showing that their state and local governments stand to pay at least $3.4 billion in additional costs annually if the tariffs are introduced.

Rayfield says that under Article I of the Constitution, only Congress can introduce and collect taxes, duties, imports, and excises. He says that while the executive orders cite the powers granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), that law applies in emergencies presenting ‘unusual and extraordinary threat’ from abroad. It does not give the President the power to impose tariffs.

The case is pending before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade, jointly led by Oregon AG and Arizona AG Kris Mayes. The other participating states are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont.