Advocates for Constitutional Integrity
U.S. Federal Court Strikes Down Trump-Era Tariffs
Ilya Somin, a law professor at George Mason University, expressed jubilation on Wednesday as a U.S. federal court for international trade permanently banned almost all tariffs imposed by the former administration. The Trump administration deemed the decision a "judicial coup" and filed an appeal.
Somin, who hails from the USSR and emigrated to the United States at the age of five, penned the lawsuit along with the Liberty Justice Center, an economically liberal think tank. The case was joined by VOS Selections, a wine merchant, and four other small businesses, as well as twelve states, including two Republican-led ones.
Renowned for his expertise in constitutional law, Somin has expressed skepticism about the use of national emergency powers to impose tariffs. He believes the president overstepped his authority by bypassing the U.S. Congress, the body constitutionally granted power to regulate trade with foreign nations.
The court's ruling echoed Somin's argument, finding that the president had indeed exceeded his authority. The Trump administration's tariffs, aimed at addressing trade deficits, were deemed unjustified under the relevant statutes.
Ilya Somin, a prolific author with multiple books to his credit, including "Democracy and Political Ignorance" and "Free to Move," argues for judicial review to ensure executive actions are legitimate and not merely based on presidential discretion. His stance underscores his broader concerns about executive power and the need for clear limits on such actions.
- Ilya Somin, a prolific author known for his books such as "Democracy and Political Ignorance" and "Free to Move," advocates for judicial review to scrutinize the legitimacy of executive actions in business and finance matters like the imposition of tariffs.
- This stance, expressed by Somin, who is a law professor at George Mason University, stems from his concerns about the use of national emergency powers in policy-and-legislation, particularly when it comes to issues under the domain of business and trade regulations.
- The recent U.S. Federal Court ruling, which struck down the Trump-era tariffs, aligns with Somin's views, as the court found that the president had overstepped his authority in the matter, further highlighting the need for clear boundaries in politics and business affairs on these policy-and-legislation matters.
