Trump warns trillions of dollars could be lost if Supreme Court curbs tariff authority: ‘We’re screwed’

US President Donald Trump

• Trump warns US may owe trillions if Supreme Court overturns his tariff policies
• Supreme Court reviews legal challenge to Trump's emergency tariff powers
• Court's decision on tariffs remains pending with next opinions due Wednesday

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US President Donald Trump on Monday said the US would be “screwed” if the Supreme Court rules against his reciprocal tariff policies.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump said it would be a “complete mess” if the Supreme Court were to rule against his administration’s tariffs announced last year.

“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. 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,” he said.

Terming the tariffs as a “national security bonanza," Trump said any claim that repayments could be handled quickly or easily was false. “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,” he stated.

Trump further 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 remarks came as the Supreme Court continues to consider a legal challenge to Trump’s tariff powers. The court did not rule on the issue on Friday, despite speculation that a decision was imminent, and instead issued a single opinion unrelated to tariffs. It remains uncertain when a ruling will be delivered, with the court next scheduled to release opinions on Wednesday.

The case centres on two key questions: whether the administration was justified in invoking emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs, and whether importers would be entitled to refunds if those powers are deemed to have been improperly used.

Regardless of the outcome, the administration has alternative statutory pathways to impose tariffs without using emergency authorities.