President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Monday regarding the potential consequences of an unfavorable Supreme Court decision on his reciprocal tariff policies: ‘We’re screwed.”
The president took to Truth Social to express his concerns about what a ruling against the United States could mean for the nation’s finances.
Trump stated the country would face enormous financial obligations if forced to return tariff revenue already collected.
“[I]f the Supreme Court rules against the United States of America on this National Security bonanza, WE’RE SCREWED!” Trump posted on the social media platform.
According to the president, the financial impact would extend far beyond simple tariff refunds.
He emphasized that the total amount at stake includes not just collected duties but also compensation for investments made by countries and companies.
Trump explained that businesses and foreign nations have been building manufacturing facilities and purchasing equipment specifically to operate within the American market and avoid tariff payments.
These investments would potentially require reimbursement under certain legal scenarios.
“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,” the president wrote.
He continued by noting that when investment-related compensation is factored into calculations, the total figure could reach into the trillions.
Trump described the situation as potentially creating “a complete mess” that would be nearly impossible for the country to resolve financially.
The president pushed back against suggestions that any repayment process would be straightforward.
He called such claims false or based on misunderstanding of the issue’s complexity.
Trump further noted that determining exact payment amounts, recipients and timelines could take years to calculate properly, if such calculations prove possible at all.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver its decision as soon as Wednesday on whether the president had authority to implement widespread tariffs announced last April under emergency powers.
Those tariffs included a baseline 10 percent rate for most nations and higher rates implemented in August for countries running trade surpluses with America.
The tariff strategy enabled Trump to negotiate significant agreements with major trading partners.
These deals included commitments for increased American investment and reduced barriers for U.S. exports, though they also came with elevated tariff rates on products from those nations.
Should the Supreme Court rule against the administration, many other Trump tariffs would remain in effect.
These include duties of up to 25 percent on vehicles and automotive parts, a current 10 percent fentanyl-related tariff on China, and 50 percent tariffs on copper, steel and aluminum.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent offered a different perspective Friday on the repayment question.
Unlike Trump’s assessment, Bessent argued that processing refunds would not present a major obstacle, noting the Treasury currently maintains $774 billion in available cash.
“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 told Reuters.
Bessent questioned whether major retailers like Costco, which is suing the government, would pass any refunded money to their customers.
He also emphasized that any repayment scenario would unfold gradually rather than immediately.
“We’re not talking about the money all goes out in a day,” he added.
“Probably over weeks, months, may take over a year, right?”
