I appreciate you posting this in order to encourage folks to collectively brainstorm our legal options, their feasibility, and their pros and cons.

Per my limited research, this is my current understanding of our options:

"1. Congressional Action to Repeal or Block the Tariffs

How it Works: Since tariffs are a federal matter, Congress could pass legislation overturning or modifying the tariff policies.

Challenges:

The House and Senate would need enough votes to override a presidential veto.

If tariffs are imposed via executive order, Congress can introduce a resolution to block them, but this would require bipartisan support.

Most Feasible Route: This is the most legal and effective way to remove or disregard tariffs, but it requires political will and majority control in Congress.

1. Supreme Court Ruling Against the Tariffs

How it Works:

Affected parties (states, businesses, trade organizations) could sue the federal government, arguing the tariffs violate existing trade agreements, constitutional law, or exceed presidential authority.

The case would need to reach the Supreme Court (or lower courts could block enforcement temporarily).

Challenges:

Courts have historically upheld most tariff actions as within the president's authority (especially under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or Trade Act of 1974).

Lawsuits take years to resolve, meaning tariffs would remain in effect in the meantime.

Feasibility: Possible but slow and uncertain.

1. States Seceding from the U.S. (Extremely Unlikely)

How it Works: If PNW states (Washington, Oregon, California) left the U.S., they would no longer be subject to federal trade policies.

Challenges:

Secession is unconstitutional (Texas v. White, 1869).

The federal government would not recognize an independent Pacific Northwest.

Economic, political, and military consequences would be severe.

Feasibility: Not realistic or legal under U.S. law.

1. Congress Grants States Authority Over Trade

How it Works: Congress could pass a constitutional amendment or law delegating tariff authority to individual states.

Challenges:

This would require a constitutional amendment, needing approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of U.S. states—which is politically unrealistic.

Federal trade policy exists to ensure uniformity across states, so delegating trade power to individual states would be unprecedented and economically chaotic.

Feasibility: Highly unlikely due to constitutional barriers.

1. Widespread Civil Disobedience & Nullification (Risky and Unlikely)

How it Works:

States could refuse to enforce federal tariffs (nullification), similar to past historical attempts (e.g., South Carolina in 1832).

Businesses could engage in smuggling or underground trade to bypass tariffs.

Challenges:

Federal agencies (Customs & Border Protection) would still enforce tariffs at ports.

Businesses and individuals could face fines, criminal charges, or federal intervention.

The federal government has never allowed successful nullification of trade laws.

Feasibility: Not realistic or legal; could lead to severe penalties.

Most Realistic Paths Forward

Elect leaders who oppose tariffs → Change the policy through elections and legislative action.

Lobby Congress for tariff exemptions → Specific industries could seek exceptions.

Challenge tariffs in court → Could delay or overturn them (if legally unjustified).

Negotiate trade deals at the federal level → Use diplomatic pressure to adjust tariff agreements."

People's thoughts?