Oregon Lawyers Challenge Trump’s Tariff Policies in Portland

News Summary

On April 10, 2025, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes led a town hall in Portland to address concerns over President Trump’s tariffs. The meeting highlighted economic impacts and legal strategies being undertaken by a coalition of states against federal tariff policies that threaten jobs and increase costs for families. Local business leaders expressed their fears regarding the adverse effects of these tariffs on their operations.

Town Hall Discussion in Portland Tackles Tariff Turmoil

Oregon and Arizona Attorneys General Join Forces

On April 10, 2025, nearly 200 concerned citizens gathered in Portland, as Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes hosted an urgent town hall meeting. The primary focus of this assembly was to discuss rising worries surrounding President Trump’s executive orders and impending cuts to federal agencies, impacting countless citizens and businesses.

In a bold stance against federal policies, Rayfield and Mayes are just two among 23 Democratic attorneys general making headlines across the nation. In the initial three months of Trump’s second term, they filed over a dozen lawsuits against the federal government, showing a vigorous determination to challenge controversial directives emanating from the White House.

Oregon Leads the Charge on Tariffs

At the forefront of these legal battles, Oregon is spearheading a lawsuit against President Trump and his administration over tariffs that affect almost all goods imported into the United States. The case, known as “State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al.”, was filed in the specialized Court of International Trade in New York. This lawsuit has garnered support from eleven other states, rallying a coalition against the administration’s aggressive tariff strategies.

The litigation explicitly targets Trump’s implementation of exorbitant tariffs. The proposed measures include an alarming 145% on most imports from China, a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on nearly all other foreign goods. Furthermore, the lawsuit acts preemptively against Trump’s anticipated move to raise tariffs on imports from over 40 additional countries, set for July 9.

Job Concerns and Economic Impact

Addressing the crowd in Portland, Rayfield emphasized the dire need for action as the proposed tariffs threaten to cost jobs and inflate consumer prices, ultimately harming the overall economy. With experts predicting that the tariffs could lead to a staggering increase in the cost of living of over $3,800 annually for an average family, the urgency of the matter grows increasingly apparent.

The attorneys general assert that Trump’s utilization of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose such tariffs is fundamentally unlawful. They argue that these powers are intended for Congress, not the presidency per Article I of the U.S. Constitution, and claim that no previous president has employed such measures in this manner.

Local Business Leaders Voice Concerns

Local business figures voiced their apprehensions during the town hall. Pat Hubbell, the owner of Brooklyn Pharmacy, expressed concern over the implications of tariffs on medication imports, stating that over 80% of the products at his pharmacy are imported, putting his business at risk. Similarly, Graham Trainor, president of Oregon AFL-CIO, criticized the chaotic nature of Trump’s tariff policies, highlighting that the lack of a coherent strategy fosters uncertainty regarding job security for workers throughout the state.

State Representative Daniel Nguyễn, who co-founded Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen, conveyed the struggles faced by his business due to economic insecurity fostered by the tariffs. Emma Mcilroy, CEO of Portland’s Wildfang clothing company, warned that sustained tariffs could spell disaster for many manufacturers.

Oregon’s state economist, Carl Riccadonna, has been diligently surveying local business owners to assess the ramifications of the tariffs on their operations and financial stability. Meanwhile, Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden have convened roundtable discussions with business leaders, addressing the gravity of their concerns and exploring viable solutions.

Legislative Efforts Underway

Amid the growing discontent, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and his counterpart, Kentucky’s Senator Rand Paul, have announced intentions to introduce legislation aimed at abolishing Trump’s tariffs soon.

As the federal government sets its sights on these issues, the lawsuit led by Oregon, with support from other states, signals a critical moment in the ongoing struggle between state powers and federal governance. Rayfield declared the impact of the tariff policies on every facet of life in Oregon as pivotal, reaffirming their significance for the state’s economic future.

As the dust settles from the town hall, one thing appears clear: the conflict between state attorneys general and federal executive actions over tariffs is heating up, and the implications for businesses and families are profound.