A panel of federal judges ruled on Wednesday that many of President Trump’s tariffs were illegal, a decision that has threatened to derail his trade agenda.

Victor Schwartz, the wine importer at the center of the case, explains why he decided to take on the president, and Jeanna Smialek, the Brussels bureau chief for The Times, discusses what options Mr. Trump has to save his trade war.

Guest:

Victor Schwartz, a small wine importer and the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Mr. Trump’s tariffs.
Jeanna Smialek, the Brussels bureau chief for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The U.S. Court of International Trade said Mr. Trump had overstepped his authority in imposing his “reciprocal” tariffs globally.
An appeals court spared the tariffs while it considered the challenge.
From March: Wine businesses were struck with fears of disaster under the threat of huge tariffs.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times

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March 23rd 2025