Attorney General Clark Wins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration's New Illegal Tariffs

Court of International Trade Rules in Favor of 24 States, Invalidating Tariffs that are Increasing Prices and Inflicting Chaos on the American Economy

Attorney General Charity Clark today secured a court order invalidating President Trump's latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. A federal court granted summary judgment to a coalition of 24 states, striking down those tariffs.

"A federal court has once again affirmed that President Trump does not have the power to impose these tariffs, and it is overwhelmingly working people and small businesses who have borne the cost," said Attorney General Clark. "Instead of President Trump working to make our country more affordable for working people, he has repeatedly violated the Constitution, attempting to circumvent the Supreme Court's decision by imposing more illegal taxes on the American people. I will continue to stand up for the Constitution and for Vermonters."

For more than a year, President Trump has unlawfully attempted to impose tariffs on essential goods purchased by American consumers and businesses. Initially, the President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act-but the Supreme Court ruled those tariffs were unlawful. The President then attempted to use a different law that has never been used before-Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974-and imposed 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, supposedly in response to trade deficits.

Today, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that those tariffs are illegal, too. Section 122 allows tariffs only when there are "large and serious balance-of-payment deficits." But no such thing exists-a trade deficit is not a balance-of-payment deficit. As the court ruled, the President's tariffs proclamation "is invalid, and the tariffs imposed on Plaintiffs are unauthorized by law."

Joining Attorney General Clark in bringing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

A copy of the court order is available by request .

CONTACT: Amelia Vath, Senior Advisor to the Attorney General, 802-828-3171