02/20/2026
Today’s ruling confirming that the Trump administration’s tariffs were unconstitutional comes as no surprise. From the beginning, many of us warned that this approach overstepped legal authority and would come at a steep cost to working families, small businesses, and the broader economy.
As Port Commissioner, I have spoken directly with shippers in South Korea and Japan, representatives of the federal government in Switzerland, farmers in Eastern Washington, and small business owners here in Seattle. From top to bottom and across the land, the message was consistent: these tariffs were harmful. They disrupted supply chains, raised costs, and injected uncertainty into markets that depend on stability and trust.
One of the most damaging consequences was the trade war with China. For a trade dependent region like ours, retaliation and escalating tariffs strained relationships that took decades to build. Exporters paid the price. Importers paid the price. Ultimately, consumers paid the price.
The economic impacts will not disappear overnight. Recovery will take time. But I am hopeful that with this ruling, we can begin the work of stabilizing our trade relationships, restoring confidence with our partners, and rebuilding with our greatest trading partner in a way that is lawful, strategic, and grounded in long term prosperity.
At the Port of Seattle, we will continue advocating for trade policies that are predictable, rules based, and supportive of workers, farmers, and small businesses alike. Our regional economy depends on it.
