Ex-Governor George Allen Challenges Trump's Tariffs in Court; Canadian Tourism to Florida Drops Amid Trade Tensions

Former Virginia Governor George Allen has joined a lawsuit against Donald Trump's tariffs, claiming they bypass Congress and violate the U.S. Constitution. The tariffs, imposed on February 1, 2025, include a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. The lawsuit argues these actions misuse the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Meanwhile, Canadian tourism to Florida has declined due to Trump's rhetoric and trade policies. Additionally, Mark Carney's Liberal Party won Canada's federal election, reflecting opposition to Trump's policies.

George Allen Challenges Trump’s Tariff Authority

George Allen, a prominent Republican and former governor of Virginia, has publicly aligned himself with a coalition challenging the constitutionality of former President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs. In an amicus brief filed in the case V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump, Allen argues that Trump’s use of executive authority to impose tariffs violates the separation of powers enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.

Trump’s executive orders, issued on February 1, 2025, imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% tariff on Chinese goods. Allen contends that these actions represent an unconstitutional seizure of Congress’s exclusive power to levy taxes under Article I, Sections 7 and 8 of the Constitution.

In a Washington Post op-ed, Allen wrote, “It is dangerous to allow a president to impose such taxes by decree.” He emphasized that while he supports many of Trump’s economic policies, including energy deregulation and tax reform, he cannot support what he views as an overreach of executive power. Allen warned that unchecked presidential authority could set a precedent for future administrations to impose sweeping economic measures without legislative approval.

The legal challenge also questions Trump’s invocation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as justification for the tariffs. Plaintiffs argue that the IEEPA does not authorize the imposition of broad, peacetime tariffs and that such actions require explicit congressional approval. The case is currently pending before the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Canadian Tourism to Florida Declines Amid Political Tensions

Trump’s trade policies and inflammatory rhetoric toward Canada have had ripple effects beyond the courtroom. Canadian tourism to Florida, a longstanding economic driver for the Sunshine State, has seen a noticeable decline in early 2025.

While some political figures, such as Florida Representative Jared Moskowitz, claimed an 80% drop in Canadian tourism, fact-checking organizations have found that figure to be exaggerated. According to aviation data firm OAG, airline bookings between Canada and the U.S. were down 75.7% in March 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, this figure reflects the entire U.S.-Canada market and not Florida specifically.

More localized data paints a varied picture. Fort Myers and Palm Beach airports reported declines of 30% and 43%, respectively, in scheduled flights from Canada. Miami International Airport saw a 5.9% drop in Canadian arrivals between January and April. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Orlando International Airports reported decreases of 20% and 12%, respectively.

Courtney Miller of Visual Approach Analytics noted that Canadian airline seats to Florida were down 13% for May and 10% for June compared to 2024. “I have not seen any data that suggest 80 percent,” Miller told PolitiFact. “We are seeing overall Canadian travel to the entire U.S. down no more than 25 percent.”

The decline is attributed to multiple factors, including a strong U.S. dollar, increased travel costs, and political tensions. Trump’s repeated suggestions that Canada should become the “51st state” and his reference to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor” have not been well received by Canadians. These remarks, coupled with the tariffs, have led some Canadian travelers to boycott U.S. destinations.

Richard Clavet, a Quebec-born hotel owner in Hollywood, Florida, reported a 50% drop in Canadian guests at his properties. “A lot of them were blaming it on the political situation,” Clavet said. “They wanted to boycott the U.S. and make a statement.”

Canada Elects Mark Carney’s Liberal Government

Amid these tensions, Canada held a federal election on April 28, 2025, resulting in a victory for the Liberal Party under the leadership of Mark Carney. Carney, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, assumed office as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister on March 14, 2025, following a leadership race triggered by Justin Trudeau’s resignation.

Carney’s campaign was marked by strong opposition to Trump’s trade policies and rhetoric. His election reflects a broader Canadian backlash against perceived U.S. overreach and a desire to reassert national sovereignty in the face of economic and political pressure from Washington.

Shortly after taking office, Carney advised the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and called a federal election, which resulted in a minority Liberal government—its fourth consecutive mandate since 2015. Carney’s leadership is expected to focus on stabilizing Canada’s trade relationships and promoting domestic economic resilience.

U.S. States Respond to Canadian Tourism Decline

Recognizing the economic impact of reduced Canadian tourism, several U.S. states, including Republican-led ones, have launched targeted campaigns to woo Canadian visitors. These efforts include travel discounts and marketing initiatives aimed at countering the negative effects of Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric.

Canadian tourists are the second-largest international travel market for the U.S., contributing billions annually to local economies. The decline in travel has affected sectors ranging from hospitality to retail and transportation.

According to the Economic Times, U.S. states are increasingly bypassing federal messaging to maintain their own economic ties with Canadian consumers. “There’s a lot riding on these campaigns,” the report noted, highlighting the urgency of reversing the downward trend in cross-border tourism.

References

• Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions
• Fact check: Has Canadian tourism to Florida dropped by 80 percent?
• Mark Carney - Wikipedia
• These U.S states, including Republican ones, ignore Donald Trump's tariffs, launch their own campaign to woo Canadian tourists
• Trump tariffs live updates: Trump set to unveil 'full' US-UK trade deal, first since 'Liberation Day' tariffs
• Has Canadian tourism to Florida dropped by 80%?