WASHINGTON, D.C. (KATU) — Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., spoke at a a media conference call on Monday to discuss how the Trump Administration’s tariffs are a tax on Americans that will raise costs by $1,200 this year for families, harm small businesses, and eliminate hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Wyden stated during the call that foreign leaders are laughing at president Donald Trump.

“They proved they can make him back off his threats by making fake promises,” he said. “Mexico threw out a number because they know all trump really wants is a headline.”

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Wyden also mentioned the vague legality of the tariffs, noting that no president has used the statute he is using to impose tariffs.

The statute Wyden referred to is the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA. It was historically used as an emergency sanctions law. Trump is using it to justify the 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, and an additional 10% tariff on imports from China.

On Feb. 1, Trump declared a national emergency under IEEPA, and cited illegal immigration and fentanyl as threats. The official White House website said the tariffs are meant to “hold Mexico, Canada, and China accountable,” and that access to American markets is a privilege.

“The statute that was used is not something the president can use to get a blank check and use that to impose tariffs and affect consumers,” said Wyden.

When asked if Senate democrats are going to take any legislative action in response to the tariffs, Wyden said they are considering everything. “Everything is on the table at this point.”

Jamieson Greer, attorney and nominee for U.S. trade representative, was the USTR Chief of Staff during the first Trump administration.

Greer will make an appearance in front of the Senate for his nomination hearing on Thursday, Feb. 6. Wyden said there will be more “tariff chaos” during the hearing.