Leaders also called for reimbursement for Americans harmed by illegal import taxes
Vermont Business Magazine Ahead of tonight’s State of the Union address, Treasurer Pieciak and State Fiscal Officers have called on President Trump to comply with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling and cease implementing any broad-based tariffs without congressional approval.
In a letter to President Trump, leaders also demanded the administration reimburse taxpayers, businesses, and states for the financial harm caused by import taxes imposed illegally under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The group stressed that by exploring alternative avenues to uphold his tariffs, President Trump is fueling greater uncertainty into the U.S. economy—driving up costs, hurting businesses, and reducing state revenues.
A recent report found that 90% of Trump’s tariffs have been paid for by U.S. businesses and consumers, costing households an extra $1,000 in 2025 alone. For Vermont’s 279,612 households, that amounts to nearly $300 million in additional costs—far greater than the $200 million property tax increase Vermonters paid in FY24.
“Despite public outcry from families and small businesses—who are shouldering the cost of Trump’s tariffs—the President is dead set on imposing his disastrous trade agenda,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “My colleagues and I have a simple request for President Trump: listen to the American people. They need relief—not more costs, chaos, and uncertainty.”
In an attempt to replace the tariffs recently struck down by the Supreme Court, President Trump has imposed a 15 percent global tariff under Section 122 of the 1974 Trade Act. Without Congressional approval of the measure, those tariffs will expire after 150 days.
To extend tariffs past that deadline, the administration is considering other legal authorities such as Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which allows tariffs if evidence of unfair trade behavior is found. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 is also under consideration, which allows for tariffs to be imposed on national security grounds.
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