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Trump’s New Worldwide Tariffs Challenged in Court by Oregon-Led Coalition News By Diane Megaw On Mar 14, 2026 New York County Courthouse, Manhattan, New York | Credit: Ken Lund Led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, a coalition of 24 states filed a motion yesterday to block the implementation of President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. Oregon Leads Multi-State Lawsuit Suing Trump Over Illegal Tariffs In the case of the state of Oregon et al. v. Donald J Trump et al. filed yesterday, the motion asks for summary judgment or a preliminary injunction as the president doesn’t have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs- as confirmed by the court. Rayfield says the focus should also be on getting people and businesses their money back. AG Rayfield said, “Oregon families are paying more for groceries and other basic items because of these tariffs, and they shouldn’t be.” The lawsuit comes after Oregon joined 18 other Governors urging Congress to reclaim tariff powers. President Trump has unlawfully attempted to impose tariffs on essential goods for over a year, illegally invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Issue Section 122 Oregon led challenge Trigger Large and serious balance of payments deficits States say a trade deficit is not that condition Tariff cap Temporary surcharge up to 15% Trump used 10% on most products worldwide Time limit Up to 150 days unless Congress extends States want the court to stop collection now Relief sought Temporary import measures for rare payment crises Summary judgment or a preliminary injunction He is now trying to use a different law that has never been used before- Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974- to impose 10% tariffs on most products worldwide. The move is apparently in response to trade deficits, but the new tariffs are illegal, too, as Section 122 only allows tariffs when there are “large and serious balance-of-payment deficits.” No such thing currently exists. A trade deficit is not a balance-of-payment deficit. Economic analysis in the lawsuit shows that state governments in the 24 plaintiff states stand to pay at least $748 million per year in additional costs due to the tariffs. Tidings Data Snapshot Tariff Case By The Numbers 24 Plaintiff states in the motion led by Oregon 10% Tariff imposed on most products worldwide $748M Extra yearly costs for the 24 plaintiff states 90% Share of 2025 tariff burden paid in the U.S. Source: Oregon Department of Justice tariff motion release / Federal Reserve Bank of New York tariff incidence analysis Dailytidings.com A recent analysis by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York similarly concluded that nearly 90 percent of the costs of tariffs last year were paid by American consumers and businesses. The Plaintiffs ask the three-judge panel of the US Court of International Trade to order federal agencies to stop collecting the latest round of illegal tariffs. In-person oral argument is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 10, 2026, in the court’s ceremonial courtroom in New York City. Oregon’s Balance Of Trade Flips To Deficit After Tariff Wave Oregon’s trade picture had already turned sharply worse before this latest court filing . Federal data shows the state’s goods balance flipped from a $5.7 billion surplus in 2024 to a roughly $2.7 billion deficit in 2025- the first annual goods deficit since at least 2008. Tidings Data Snapshot Oregon Trade Shifts In 2025 Exports to Canada : down 33% Exports to Mexico : down 26% Electric machinery exports : down 22% Total exports : down 17.3% Imports : up 9% Source: Business Oregon economist trade report using U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Division data via wisertrader.org Dailytidings.com Several reports confirmed the deficit that arose after the state was hit by sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump regime. Goods exports fell by roughly 17% in 2025, while imports rose by about 9%, resulting in a goods trade deficit of about $2.7 billion, following 2024’s trade surplus of about $5.7 billion. Share Twitter Facebook ReddIt WhatsApp Pinterest Email