On Tuesday, May 13, the U.S. Court of International Trade will hear oral arguments in the case of V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump. This case challenges the legality of certain tariffs imposed on imported goods, raising important questions about the scope of executive authority and the impact of trade policy on American businesses.
During the hearing, Jeffrey Schwab, Senior Counsel and Director of Litigation at Liberty Justice Center, will argue that the tariffs exceed the President’s statutory authority and violate constitutional protections for businesses engaged in international trade.
WHO:
Jeffrey Schwab, Senior Counsel and Director of Litigation for the Liberty Justice Center
WHEN:
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
11:00 a.m. ET
WHERE:
U.S. Court of International Trade
Courtroom 1
One Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
HOW:
The courtroom will be open to the public on a first come, first serve basis. For questions about media access, contact the Clerk’s Office at (212) 264-2800. Information concerning public access via teleconference to the hearing will be forthcoming. Please visit this webpage for future updates.
Jeffrey Schwab, along with Senior Counsel Reilly Stephens and Co-Counsel Ilya Somin will be available for comment in-person immediately after the hearing. Liberty Justice Center will also be hosting a virtual media roundtable on Tuesday, May 13, at 2:30 PM ET for any interested media outlets. Please RSVP at the link here.
ISSUE BACKGROUND:
V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump challenges the President’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the “Liberation Day” tariffs. Under IEEPA, the President may invoke emergency economic powers only after declaring an emergency in response to an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to national security, foreign policy, or the U.S. economy originating outside the United States. The lawsuit argues that the President exceeded his legal authority by imposing tariffs beyond what Congress authorized and that the executive branch’s actions violate the Constitution’s separation of powers. The President’s justification—a trade deficit in goods—is neither an emergency nor an unusual or extraordinary threat.
V.O.S. Selections, Inc., a New York-based wine importer, is among the five small businesses the Liberty Justice Center is representing who have been harmed by these tariffs, which have increased costs and disrupted supply chains. The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for the limits of executive power.
The legal filing in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump is available here.