Attorney General Dan Rayfield speaks to the Salem City Club at the Willamette Heritage Center in Salem on Sept. 12, 2025. (Photo by Laura Tesler/Oregon Capital Chronicle)
Like a child trying to find ways around a parent’s “no,” President Donald Trump is still trying to find ways to justify his tariffs after the Supreme Court in late February struck them down, Oregon’s top legal officer said.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield met virtually with reporters Friday following a three-hour hearing at the Court of International Trade in New York City. Rayfield is leading a second lawsuit against Trump with 23 other state attorneys general over the president’s ongoing attempts to impose tariffs.
Rayfield used his son getting denied a cookie as an example to explain the president’s behavior.
“If I say, ‘Hey you don’t get to eat that cookie,’ and my son… would then blend the cookie up and try to drink it and consume the cookie in a different way,” he said, “that’s effectively what the president’s trying to do.”
Trump in 2025 initially argued he could impose tariffs under a 50-year-old law that gives presidents broad authority to regulate international commerce during national emergencies, but after the Supreme Court struck down that argument, he picked a different justification — a provision of the Trade Act of 1974. That law authorizes presidents to impose temporary, nondiscriminatory tariffs of up to 15% for 150 days to address “fundamental international payment problems,” which Trump has interpreted as referring to trade deficits.
Rayfield and the other state attorneys general in their March 5 suit argue Trump is exercising tariff authority he doesn’t have, and that he is misconstruing the Trade Act of 1974, which was enacted after former President Richard Nixon announced the dollar would not be backed by gold anymore to curb growing international financial crises.
After Friday’s oral arguments, the judges are truly grappling with a novel interpretation of a provision of a 50-year old law, according to Rayfield, who added that a decision is expected in a few weeks or months.
He said he’s unsure whether the case will reach the U.S. Supreme Court like the previous tariff case, but he anticipates the federal government will appeal the court’s decision if it doesn’t go their way, which would delay any potential refunds and tariff relief Oregonians and businesses would receive.
“Instead of working on refunds for Americans, they double down on this tariff policy,” Rayfield said.
Originally published on oregoncapitalchronicle.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented