Trump defends tariffs as Supreme Court weighs president’s authority

President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his liberal use of tariff powers to rebalance trade relationships as the Supreme Court weighs a challenge to the president’s authority. 

“Tariffs have made our Country Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe. 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!” Trump posted to Truth Social on Saturday. 

“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 wrote. “The Stock Market and 401k’s have hit an all time high, Inflation, Prices and Taxes are DOWN. Education is being brought back to the States (where it belongs!), and our Military, and Southern Border, is the strongest they have ever been.”

Trump also appeared to warn the Supreme Court against eliminating his ability to impose wide-ranging tariffs under a declared emergency–a power he used after assuming office earlier this year to levy duties against most U.S. trading partners. He also strongly criticized those challenging his authority. 

“The USA is respected again, respected like never before. All of this was brought about by Strong Leadership and TARIFFS, without which we would be a poor and pathetic laughingstock again,” Trump wrote. “Evil, American hating Forces are fighting us at the United States Supreme Court. Pray to God that our Nine Justices will show great wisdom, and do the right thing for America!” 

Plaintiffs are challenging President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, known as IEEPA, to impose “trafficking” duties aimed at countries with a role in the fentanyl trade and “reciprocal” tariffs over his concern with the trade deficit. 

The IEEPA provides that the president may “investigate, block during the pendency of an investigation, regulate, direct and compel, nullify, void, prevent or prohibit … importation or exportation” of transactions involving any foreign property during times of emergency.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in early November, but it is not clear when the court will rule on the challenge. 

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, however, said that he expected the court to rule on the case before the end of the year. “I think a lot of folks are saying this may come before the end of the year. I think that's probably right,” Greer said in an interview on Fox Business Network.