WASHINGTON — President Trump declared Monday that the US would be “screwed” if the Supreme Court rules against his reciprocal tariff policies — arguing the feds would have “pay back” billions in revenue collected over the past year.
“[I]f the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE’RE SCREWED!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“The actual numbers that we would have to pay back if, for any reason, the Supreme Court were to rule against the United States of America on Tariffs, would be many Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and that doesn’t include the amount of ‘payback’ that Countries and Companies would require for the Investments they are making on building Plants, Factories, and Equipment, for the purpose of being able to avoid the payment of Tariffs,” he wrote.
“When these Investments are added, we are talking about Trillions of Dollars! It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay. Anybody who says that it can be quickly and easily done would be making a false, inaccurate, or totally misunderstood answer to this very large and complex question.”
Trump added: “It may not be possible but, if it were, it would be Dollars that would be so large that it would take many years to figure out what number we are talking about and even, who, when, and where, to pay. Remember, when America shines brightly, the World shines brightly.”
The Supreme Court is poised to rule as early as Wednesday on whether Trump could use emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs announced last April, including a 10% baseline for most countries and higher rates that took effect in August for nations with which the US has a trade deficit.
Trump used the authorities to strongarm most major trading partners into stiff concessions, including pledges to invest in the US and lower trade barriers for American goods in a series of deals that also came with high rates on their products.
Many of Trump’s other tariffs would continue if the Supreme Court rules against him, including car tariffs of up to 25% and 50% tariffs on copper, steel and aluminum.
Administration officials say that Trump would seek to resurrect the reciprocal tariffs under new legal justifications should the justices rule against his emergency authority.
