Supreme Court tariff ruling may bolster Blackfeet lawsuit
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning tariffs imposed by the Trump administration could aid a lawsuit filed by Blackfeet Nation tribal members challenging similar tariffs, according to the Daily Montanan.
Attorney Monica Tranel, representing state Sen. Susan Webber, Jonathan St. Goddard, Rhonda Mountain Chief and David Mountain Chief, was quoted as saying the high court’s 6-3 ruling in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump “helps our argument because it was a very clear delineation of the separation of powers.” The Supreme Court found that Congress alone holds the power to tax and that the administration was not justified in invoking the International Economic Emergency Powers Act to impose tariffs.
The plaintiffs sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the United States of America and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, arguing the tariffs against Canada violate treaty rights and exceed presidential authority, according to the Daily Montanan. The federal government has asked the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss the appeal and uphold the transfer of the case to the Court of International Trade.
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