‘We could be a third-world country’: Trump hits back as court rules against tariff policy

Trump warns of fallout if tariffs struck down

US President Donald Trump announced that his administration will seek an “expedited ruling” from the Supreme Court to challenge a recent decision by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which found that most of the tariffs imposed during his tenure were unlawful.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump warned that eliminating the tariffs would place the country in “serious trouble.”

Trump strongly defended his use of tariffs, arguing that they are critical for maintaining the country’s economic strength. “If you take away tariffs, we could end up being a third-world country," Trump told reporters during the address.

Defending his tariff policies, Trump claimed they have led to more than $15 trillion in investment in the United States, a figure he called a "record."

President said that prices were "way down" and that the country is experiencing "virtually no inflation."

Confirming his intent to escalate the legal fight, President Donald Trump said, “We’re going to be going to the Supreme Court, we think tomorrow, because we need an early decision.” He further added, “We’re going to be asking for early admittance … we’re going to ask for expedited, an expedited ruling,” stressing that the “financial fabric of our country” is at stake.

The 7–4 ruling, issued on Friday by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, determined that Trump lacked the authority to impose most of the tariffs without congressional approval. However, enforcement of the decision has been postponed until October 14, giving the administration time to appeal.

Trump also took aim at the judges who ruled against him, referring to the bench as a “very liberal court.” He remarked, “Some whack job put in a lawsuit, it went before a very liberal court and the liberal court ruled…they ruled 7-4, with one of the most liberal of them all voting in our favour because they’re patriots.”