24 AGs Block Trump Tariffs on Essential Goods

AG: Vermont Press Releases

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

24 state Attorneys General, including Vermont's, have joined a motion seeking a court order to block the Trump administration's latest tariffs on essential goods. The motion argues these tariffs, imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, are illegal and increase costs for American consumers and businesses, with an estimated $748 million annual impact on the plaintiff states.

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What changed

Twenty-four state Attorneys General, led by the State of Oregon and joined by Vermont's Attorney General Charity Clark, have filed a motion with the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) seeking summary judgment or a preliminary injunction to halt the Trump administration's imposition of 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide. The AGs contend these tariffs, implemented under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, are unlawful because they are not based on "large and serious balance-of-payment deficits" as required by the statute, but rather on trade deficits. The motion highlights that previous attempts to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.

The practical implications for regulated entities and consumers are significant. The tariffs are estimated to cost state governments at least $748 million annually, with nearly 90 percent of the costs borne by American consumers and businesses. The CIT has scheduled oral arguments for April 10, 2026. Companies importing goods or relying on imported components should prepare for potential continued or reinstated tariff costs, depending on the court's ruling. Non-compliance with any final court order could lead to further legal action and penalties.

What to do next

Monitor court proceedings in State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. (Case No. 1:26-cv-01472-3JP)
Assess potential financial impact of tariffs on imported goods and supply chains
Prepare for potential continued collection of tariffs pending court decision

Source document (simplified)

Attorney General Clark Seeks Court Order to Stop the Trump Administration's Illegal Tariffs

Category Press Releases March 13, 2026 Joins Motion Filed by 24 Attorneys General to Halt Illegal Tariffs that are Increasing Prices and Inflicting Chaos on the American Economy

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a motion to block implementation of President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and businesses. The motion asks for summary judgment or, in the alternative, a preliminary injunction.

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 is now attempting to use a different law that has never been used before—Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—and has imposed 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide, apparently in response to trade deficits. But 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.

Today’s motion asks the U.S. Court of International Trade to order federal agencies to stop collecting the latest round of illegal tariffs. Economic analysis submitted to the court 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. Additionally, a recent analysis by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York concluded that nearly 90 percent of the costs of tariffs last year were paid by American consumers and businesses.

The case is entitled State of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. (Case No. 1:26-cv-01472-3JP) and is pending before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT). The court has scheduled in-person oral argument on the states’ motion for 10:00 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 10, 2026, in its ceremonial courtroom in New York City.

Joining Attorney General Clark in filing the 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, and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

A copy of the motion is available on our website.

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