On Friday 20 February, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump’s use of IEEPA (the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) to impose tariffs was unconstitutional — and wine is right at the centre of this story.
A small New York wine importer, VOS Selections, brought the case that helped put new limits on presidential power on tariffs. Despite what Trump administration officials may claim, the ruling is likely to deter any serious attempt to revive “emergency” tariffs in the same way. Tariffs sit with Congress. Congress can lend that authority to the President in specific circumstances — but only through clear statutes and with limits.
Victor Owen Schwartz, founder of VOS Selections, joins me to explain why he felt compelled to act — and why he sees wine as the “canary in the coal mine”, a bellwether for international trade.
It was inspiring to hear how he found himself in the eye of the storm.
I think you’ll find a bit of hope — and a lot of resilience — in his story too.
Happy listening!
Here’s the transcript of the conversation.
Thank you as always for being here!
Sara
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