Washington, DC – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement applauding the Court of International Trade’s decision to block President Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, unlawfully imposed under the guise of a “national emergency.” Rep. Meeks who co-led an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs, argued that the move was an illegal abuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).  

“I’m encouraged by the court's decision today to block President Trump’s so-called ‘liberation day’ tariffs, confirming what we’ve long known: these tariffs are an illegal abuse of executive power. Trump's declaration of a bogus national emergency to justify his global trade war was an absurd and unlawful use of IEEPA. That is why I co-led an amicus brief supporting twelve states in challenging this abuse in court,” said Ranking Member Meeks. 

In April, Meeks introduced a resolution to terminate the national emergency behind the April 2nd tariffs, following the earlier resolutions seeking to end Trump’s Canada & Mexico tariffs. House Republicans have used procedural tactics to block these votes—tactics Meeks is attempting to bypass through discharge petitions.  

“Trump’s chaotic tariffs are nothing but a tax on American families, raising prices, shuttering small businesses, and harming the economy. They are also deeply unpopular, which is why Speaker Johnson refuses to allow a vote. It’s time for Republican’s to stop enabling this economic sabotage. I urge them to join my discharge petitions to strike down not only Trump’s April 2nd national emergency declaration, but also the Canada and Mexico national emergencies that remain in effect. The lawlessness must end.