Consumer protection enforcement action where Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a coalition of 24 states in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump Administration's imposition of tariffs on imported goods. The states argue the tariffs are unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, as they cause financial harm to consumers and state governments by increasing prices and procurement costs.
The motion seeks a court order (preliminary injunction or summary judgment) to halt the collection of tariffs and requires federal agencies to stop implementing them. The states also aim to secure refunds for consumers and governments who have paid the unlawful tariffs.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor, supplier, and government procurement agreements for clauses addressing tariffs, import duties, and price adjustments. Specifically examine 'tariff pass-through' provisions, 'cost escalation' mechanisms, and 'force majeure' definitions to determine if the newly imposed tariffs trigger renegotiation rights, cost-sharing obligations, or excuse performance. Government contractors must also scrutinize 'changes' clauses and compliance certifications related to trade laws, as the unlawful tariff regime may affect contract pricing, delivery, and eligibility for state/federal procurement.
Entity
Trump Administration
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-files-court-order-to-stop-trumps-illegal-tariffs/
01411380540
https://www.doj.state.or.us/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/01411380540.pdf
Oregon Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/
"President Trump’s latest efforts to impose illegal tariffs"
"International Emergency Economic Powers Act"
"Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974"
"Oregon families are paying more for groceries and other basic items because of these tariffs, and they shouldn’t be."
"The president doesn’t have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs like these"
"led a coalition of 23 other states"
A coalition of 24 states led by Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones won a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, invalidating illegal tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled the tariffs were unauthorized by law, as a trade deficit does not constitute the required 'large and serious balance-of-payment deficits' under the statute. The ruling prevents the administration from enforcing the 10% worldwide tariffs on most products.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield led a 24-state coalition in a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The U.S. Court of International Trade granted summary judgment to the states, ruling the tariffs illegal as they did not meet the statutory requirement of “large and serious balance-of-payment deficits.” The court invalidated the 10 percent tariffs on most global products, barring their enforcement.
Health enforcement action: Attorney General Rayfield led a coalition of 22 states and D.C. to secure a federal court order blocking the Trump Administration from threatening to cut off Medicare and Medicaid funding to healthcare providers that offer gender-affirming care to youth with gender dysphoria. The court ruled the administration's actions unlawful, protecting access to care and upholding the right to make personal healthcare decisions.
Consumer protection lawsuit led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, on behalf of a coalition of 24 states and two governors, challenging the Trump Administration's imposition of worldwide tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The suit alleges the administration is acting without legal authority, violating the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional separation of powers, and causing immediate financial harm to American consumers and businesses through increased prices.
New Jersey, serving as co-lead of a 22-state coalition, filed a motion for summary judgment on January 22, 2026, seeking an expedited order to stop the Trump Administration from defunding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) before March 2026. The states argue that defunding the CFPB would undermine federal and state consumer protection efforts, including states’ reliance on CFPB consumer complaint data and mortgage lending data for enforcement actions. This motion builds on a December 2025 lawsuit filed by the same coalition challenging the administration’s threats to withhold CFPB funding.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, on behalf of a multistate coalition, filed a motion in U.S. District Court to enforce a preliminary injunction that blocks the Trump Administration from demanding personal and sensitive information about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. The Administration has renewed its demand, threatening to withhold administrative funding from states that do not comply, which the AG argues violates the existing court order and federal law protecting the confidentiality of SNAP applicant data.