Montana Farmers Union Calls Court's Rejection of Tariffs a Win for Farmers, Ranchers and Consumers

May 30, 2025

In what Montana Farmers Union called a win for farmers and ranchers, the United States Court of International Trade Wednesday ruled that the law does not authorize any of the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, including tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union. The court found the tariffs to be unlawful and ordered that they be permanently blocked.

The ruling came after New York Attorney General Letitia James in April, along with 11 other attorneys general, sued the Trump administration, arguing the use of IEEPA to impose tariffs violates law.

“It is reassuring that the International Trade court agrees that the Executive Branch does not have the authority to impose tariffs. What we learned in elementary school civics class is indeed correct. The authority to impose tariffs resides in Congress not the Executive Branch,” MFU President Walter Schweitzer said about the court’s ruling.

MFU also has challenged the legality of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under IEEPA and asked to intervene in a complaint seeking to halt tariffs on Canada that was filed in U.S. District Court in Great Falls in April by plaintiffs Susan Webber and Jonathan St. Goddard, both members of the Blackfeet Tribe.

Schweitzer also filed a declaration in support of the original motion and said MFU’s step to intervene in the case is on behalf of Montana’s family farmers and ranchers who are facing dire financial and mental impacts if the tariffs remained in effect.

In the meantime, the trade court’s decision bodes well, Schweitzer said. “Stopping the illegally imposed tariffs is a win for Montana farmers and ranchers, as well as consumers.” 

Source: MFU