Today the Cato Institute has filed an amicus brief in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump.

Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued a series of executive orders imposing new duties on imports from dozens of countries, relying on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to impose the tariffs.

The new tariffs have imposed large costs on many owners of American businesses. A group of states and small businesses, including VOS Selections, Inc., sued the President in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) to block the tariffs. They argued that setting duties exceeded the President’s legal authority under IEEPA and violated the Constitution.

The CIT agreed with VOS Selections and permanently enjoined the tariffs. Now, the administration has appealed to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. Cato has filed an amicus brief in support of VOS Selections.

Our brief argues that the Court should reject the government’s position, affirm the CIT’s decision, and block the imposition of these tariffs.

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