WASHINGTON STATE — Gov. Bob Ferguson is backing a multi-state lawsuit to try to block President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
He made the announcement at a news conference on Wednesday with support from port workers and lawmakers, though the move is garnering criticism from some Republicans.
“If the cranes are down, we’re working. If the cranes are up, we’re not working. And, you can see from Seattle here today, no cranes are working,” International Longshore Warehouse Union Local 19 President Mark Elverston told KOMO News.
The longshoremen’s union president explained that many businesses aren’t buying from China, Canada, or Mexico amid the trade war and flip-flopping tariff rates.
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“What’s been the impact on your day-to-day?” KOMO News’ Jackie Kent asked.
“Not knowing. It’s tough to get up every day, and the first thing I do is read the news and react,” Elverston responded. We have 650 members. We don’t know if we’re going to work one day. We’re only hired for the ship that’s there.”
Elverston joined multiple organizations and lawmakers backing Ferguson as he announced he’s pushing back against the tariffs that have led to counter-tariffs devastating some Washington small businesses.
“These reckless, erratic, and illegal tariffs have thrown the global economy into chaos,” Ferguson stated.
He filed what’s known as an amicus brief in support of a multi-state lawsuit filed in April in the U.S. Court of International Trade. He explained this specific type of brief allows him to expand on the tariffs’ impact in Washington, more so than what a state attorney general would be able to include in a lawsuit.
The states involved – Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York and Vermont – are challenging President Trump’s ability to increase tariffs without sign-off from Congress.
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“These tariffs amount to a tax on Washington families. They’ll raise prices on everything from homes and electricity to coffee and children’s toys,” Ferguson said.
Meanwhile, state Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh called Ferguson’s announcement a deflection from the governor signing off on approximately $9 billion in new taxes in the state budget a day earlier.
“This is a desperate effort to pivot away from the governor’s disastrous day,” Rep. Walsh claimed.
Walsh said while there is urgency to resolve the trade war, he believes progress is being made in trade talks, specifically with China.
“The jury is still out, but the trend seems to be going in Trump’s favor,” Walsh added. “I think the thing Trump has done effectively is he’s kept these tariffs and talks of tariffs focused on time. He’s used them in bursts to force renegotiation of other tariffs that other countries are putting on the United States and trade agreements in general.”
Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins explained the port is seeing a slight rebound, and he expects an extra boost of incoming cargo ships in the coming weeks as businesses are expected to rush in orders during a 90-day reduced tariff rate of 30% on Chinese goods, down from 145% as of May 12.
“It’ll make us happy. We’ll have a paycheck for Christmas,” Elverston said.
Two assistant state attorneys general have been appointed to handle this brief at no cost to Washington tax payers, Ferguson’s office reported.
