Spice importer Burlap & Barrel sues Trump admin over new tariffs, calls them unconstitutional

Published Jul 31, 03:40 PM UTC

Ori Zohar, co-founder of single-source spice importer Burlap & Barrel, is suing the Trump administration over newly announced tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5%, ostensibly targeting forced labor. Zohar argues the tariffs are written so broadly that they harm businesses like his, which have no domestic alternatives for products like Vietnamese cinnamon or Herbes de Provence. The lawsuit, filed with help from the Liberty Justice Center, marks the third time the libertarian law firm has challenged Trump's tariff regime—and it remains undefeated, having previously won at the district, appellate, and Supreme Court levels. The new tariffs could cost Burlap & Barrel $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Zohar expresses surprise that large corporations remain passive despite broad public opposition to tariffs, while small businesses lead the legal fight. Legal experts, including Peterson Institute fellow Alan Wolff, argue the tariffs are likely unconstitutional because Congress did not delegate such broad tariff authority to the president.