A tiny New York-based wine importer has found itself at the centre of a major legal victory over US President Donald Trump’s global trade tariffs, after a landmark court ruling that could reshape America’s approach to international trade.VOS Selections, a small business run by father-and-daughter duo Victor and Chloe Schwartz, led a lawsuit that resulted in a three-judge panel at the US Court of International Trade striking down most of Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The court ruled that the US president had exceeded his authority by invoking emergency economic powers to impose tariffs on countries including China, Canada and Mexico.Victor Schwartz, who founded VOS 40 years ago, said he never imagined his business would be at the forefront of a constitutional battle.“Put it this way: when I started VOS 40 years ago I had no idea that I was signing up for something like this, getting involved in a lawsuit against the executive branch of the United States,” he told CNN.“I just wanted to bring in these delicious wines from interesting appellations across the world and sell those wines to a like-minded community.”Schwartz, who imports wine, sake and spirits from boutique producers in France, Lebanon, Japan and elsewhere, said the tariffs posed an “existential threat” to small businesses like his, which lack the financial buffers of large corporations.“We’re not a big company. We can’t just ride out the storm,” he said.The case was brought with the help of the Liberty Justice Center, a libertarian legal group, which represented VOS and four other small businesses, including a cycling apparel brand and a fishing tackle retailer. Lead attorney Jeffrey Schwab said the case was about much more than economics.“This is a very important case,” not just because of its economic impact, but “because of the tremendous power grab that the administration is claiming here,” Schwab said.The White House has launched an appeal against the decision, with spokesperson Kush Desai arguing, “It is not for unelected judges to decide how to properly address a national emergency.” The appeal could eventually reach the Supreme Court.For Victor Schwartz, the court’s decision is already a major milestone.“We knocked back the tariffs. It’s going to change the whole game plan,” he said, elated after hearing the news from his lawyers while making pasta on Wednesday evening.As the phone rang with congratulations and media requests, there was one certainty about how Schwartz planned to mark the occasion, with a celebratory bottle of wine.
