(The Hill) — President Trump on Saturday pressed the Supreme Court to rule in his favor on tariffs, doubling down on claims that steep import taxes have made the U.S. economy stronger.
“Tariffs have made our Country Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They have been successfully used by other Countries against us for Decades, but when it comes to Tariffs, and because of what I have set in place, WE HAVE ALL THE CARDS, and with a smart President, we always will!”
Since issuing its first round of “Liberation Day” tariffs in April and subsequent iterations, the Trump administration has announced a slew of trade deals with foreign trading partners. The president leaned in on those agreements in defending his agenda.
“Wars have been stopped, and stronger relationships with other countries have been built, even though they are not allowed to rip off the United States anymore,” he continued. “The Stock Market and 401k’s have hit an all time high, Inflation, Prices and Taxes are DOWN.”
The president added, “Education is being brought back to the States (where it belongs!), and our Military, and Southern Border, is the strongest they have ever been. The USA is respected again, respected like never before.”
The Supreme Court heard arguments earlier this month on a case related to Trump’s use of emergency powers to justify the sweeping tariffs on foreign trading partners. The president’s dependence on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) received a somewhat frosty reception from the conservative-leaning court.
The 1977 law empowers gives a president the authority to “regulate” imports to deal with certain national emergencies — but it has never been used to levy tariffs, until Trump. Those challenging the administration’s moves have argued that IEEPA was never meant to cover the duties.
Upholding the tariffs would greenlight a vast expansion of presidential power but striking them down could also create what Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett called “a mess.”
Still, as Trump sees his approval rating dwindle over the economy, he pressed the justices to preserve his trade agenda.
“All of this was brought about by Strong Leadership and TARIFFS, without which we would be a poor and pathetic laughingstock again,” the president wrote Saturday. “Evil, American hating Forces are fighting us at the United States Supreme Court.”
He added, “Pray to God that our Nine Justices will show great wisdom, and do the right thing for America!”
The administration has signaled that it has a backup plan should the high court rules against Trump.
Rising costs and inflation have also taken a toll on the administration’s economic policies. Earlier this month, Trump signed an executive order to cut tariffs on scores of products in a bid to lower some grocery prices.
He also floated giving “working families” in the U.S. a $2,000 dividend from import tax revenue. The proposal has faced heavy pushback and could face legal challenges.