A small New York wine importing company, VOS Selections, has secured a landmark legal victory against former President Donald Trump’s tariffs imposed under emergency economic powers. The US Court of International Trade ruled that the president overstepped his authority by applying tariffs on countries including China, Canada, and Mexico.
VOS Selections, operated by father and daughter Victor and Chloe Schwartz, challenged the tariffs arguing they threatened the survival of small businesses. Founded 40 years ago by Victor Schwartz, the importer specializes in boutique wines, sake, and spirits from France, Lebanon, Japan, and other countries.
“When I started VOS 40 years ago, I never imagined we’d be challenging the executive branch over international trade policy,” Schwartz told CNN. He described the tariffs as an “existential threat” to small businesses like his, which lack the financial resilience of larger corporations.
The lawsuit was supported by the libertarian Liberty Justice Center, which also represented four other small businesses affected by the tariffs. Lead attorney Jeffrey Schwab emphasized the case’s significance beyond economics, highlighting the excessive power claimed by the administration.
The White House has responded by filing an appeal, with spokesperson Kush Desai stating, “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.” The appeal could escalate to the Supreme Court.
Despite pending appeals, Schwartz hailed the ruling as a game-changer. “We knocked back the tariffs. It’s going to change the whole game plan,” he said, celebrating the news while preparing dinner. The victory represents both a legal and symbolic triumph for small business owners challenging broad executive actions on trade.
