Washington Governor Leads Multistate Lawsuit Against Trump Tariffs

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has taken a leading role in a multi-state legal challenge against President Donald Trump's tariff policies, filing an amicus brief that argues the tariffs are arbitrary, unlawful, and harmful to Washington's economy. The lawsuit contests the administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs without congressional approval, citing the disruptions to supply chains, increased costs for businesses and consumers, and economic uncertainty that undermine planning and investment. Ferguson emphasized the tariffs' negative impact on Washington's trade-reliant industries, which directly support about 160,000 jobs and indirectly affect up to 40% of the state's workforce. The coalition backing the challenge includes labor unions, state lawmakers, economic development groups, and local officials who report job losses and halted business expansions. Labor union leaders and economic associations have highlighted the hardships faced by workers and industries, including reduced container volume at ports and billions in potential revenue losses. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade and seeks to prevent further damage to Washington's economy caused by the administration's tariff actions.