OLYMPIA – Responding to the United States Supreme Court’s decision to strike down tariffs consistent with the Treasurer and Governor’s legal argument to that Court, Washington State Treasurer Mike Pellicciotti issued the following statement:
“Last spring I joined the Governor as we first put forward a legal argument on behalf of the people of Washington to challenge the president’s unlawful imposition of tariffs. Last fall I stood with Governor Ferguson, state legislators, labor unions, chambers of commerce and local elected officials from around Washington state to highlight the economic and cost of living harms facing our state if the Supreme Court did not strike down the unlawful and reckless tariffs imposed by President Trump.
“Our state’s economy relies on stable, well-constructed trade policy. These unilaterally and chaotically implemented tariffs unlawfully drove up prices, threatened jobs, and increased the cost of business operations here in Washington.
“A president cannot tax Americans on a whim to reward favored businesses or foreign leaders. Today’s decision made it clear that the President exceeded his authority by doing so.
“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership. Next week I will be in Washington, D.C. pressing Congress to reclaim its constitutional authority over tariffs and deliver real relief to Americans from the crushing cost of living today.”