North Country Chamber reacts to Supreme Court tariff decision

PLATTSBURGH | On Friday, the United States Supreme Court ruled that sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) violate the law. The court ruled in favor of New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general who sued the Trump administration in April 2025 for violating the law by imposing massive new tariffs that severely disrupted the economy for workers and businesses. Reactions to the decision came swiftly across the nation, state and locally, where the North Country Chamber of Commerce said it was not surprised by the decision. "As a region which so benefits from economic integration with Canada, we have followed the challenge to how tariffs have been applied very closely and are not surprised," North Country Chamber President Garry Douglas said. "There has been broad expectation of a finding that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs." Douglas noted that a recent Chamber survey "shows that 89% of regional business supports ending the tariffs on Canada applied over the past year, with similar support for continuation of the USMCA/CUSMA trade agreement with Canada that was negotiated and approved in the first Trump Administration." "While most trade with Canada has remained free under USMCA/CUSMA, tariffs on such things as Canadian aluminum, steel and other materials have impacted our manufacturers and construction," he added. "And the atmosphere of uncertainty has stalled many good things from happening such as new capital investments and expansions. That uncertainty, while relieved in one major way, turns to the uncertainty of what happens next. There are other laws which would seem to allow tariffs which may now be turned to, but they require more process and have limitations. It is also expected that those who paid the tariffs will seek refunds which will be complicated and may take up to a year. And will other countries targeted by IEEPA tariffs now suspend tariffs they applied in response, especially on agriculture?" "We join other economic partners in encouraging a step back to reflect before trying new tariff paths," Douglas said. "And in the case of Canada, let the tariffs drop while moving to a quiet joint review of USMCA's extension and enhancement." Following the decision, Assemblymember Michael S. Cashman said he was "pleased that the Supreme Court has weighed in on today's tariff decision. My hope is that members of Congress do not attempt to codify these tariffs into law. They have already proven to cause real harm to our farmers, working families, and small businesses." "I have been firm in my stance that this approach is misguided and counterproductive, particularly when it comes to our longstanding friends and trading partners in Canada. If trade relationships need to be recalibrated, that work should be done at the negotiating table through thoughtful diplomacy and collaboration, not through inflammatory measures that create economic uncertainty and strain vital partnerships." "Here in New York, we understand the importance of our relationship with Canada. From border communities to major economic hubs, and across agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and energy sectors statewide, this partnership is essential to our shared prosperity and long-term economic stability."

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North Country Chamber reacts to Supreme Court tariff decision

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