Trump Says US Is 'Screwed' if Supreme Court Blocks His Tariffs, Warns of Potential Trillion-Dollar Fallout

Washington: President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stark warning about the economic fallout the United States could face if the Supreme Court rules against his sweeping tariff policy and argued that refunding the amounts already collected could be a "complete mess" and "almost impossible" for the US to manage.

What Did Trump Say?

Trump said that if the high court rules against his authority to impose sweeping tariffs, the US could face enormous financial headaches, including the possibility of having to pay back huge sums collected in import taxes.

The US President used blunt language in a social media post on Truth Social, saying the government would be "screwed" if the court strikes down his tariff powers. He argued that refunding the amounts already collected could be a "complete mess" and "almost impossible" for the US to manage.

“It would be a complete mess, and almost impossible for our Country to pay,” Trump wrote.

Why Is This a Big Deal?

At stake is whether Trump acted within the law when he imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods from around the world under a national emergency power. Lower courts have already questioned his use of that power, and now the case has reached the Supreme Court.

If the court rules the tariffs were unlawful, the government might have to refund money collected from importers, potentially running into “many hundreds of billions of dollars,” according to Trump.

“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,” Trump said.

He went further to say that when broader costs tied to investments and business decisions are considered, the total could reach into the trillions.

"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!" he wrote.

Trump also dismissed suggestions that such refunds could be handled easily or quickly, saying it might take years just to figure out how much is owed and to whom.

“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 wrote.

“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," he added.

Did Trump Warn?

The US President concluded the post with a warning about the global consequences of a negative ruling and framed the tariff policy as a matter of national strength.

"Remember, when America shines brightly, the World shines brightly," he wrote.

"In other words, if the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE'RE SCREWED!" he concluded.

Who Else Is Speaking Out?

Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has tried to reassure markets, stating that it’s no "problem" for the US to pay off tariff refunds if the Supreme Court rules against President Trump’s tariffs.

“It won’t be a problem if we have to do it, but I can tell you that if it happens - which I don’t think it’s going to, it’s just a corporate boondoggle,” Bessent

But Trump’s social media comments paint a more dire picture and reflect the high political stakes of the case.

What Happens Next?

Supreme Court opinions are expected soon, possibly as early as this Wednesday. The court’s decision will be closely watched in Washington and on Wall Street.

Why It Matters to the Public?

Tariffs are a key part of Trump’s economic strategy. A ruling against them could weaken the administration’s leverage in trade negotiations and unsettle businesses that have made long-term plans based on the fees.