Trump's closing argument: Tariff case is "life or death" for the U.S.
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Screens at the Nasdaq in Times Square, New York City, after President Trump announced "Liberation Day" tariffs in April. Photo: Zamek/VIEWpress via Getty Images
President Trump claimed on Tuesday that the U.S. would be "virtually defenseless" against other nations if the Supreme Court strikes down a slew of tariffs.
Why it matters: Trump's comments come just one day before the highest court will hear oral arguments challenging the legality of a key part of his economic agenda.
- Trump officials have played down the effects of a potential loss, saying the administration would step in to reimpose any tariffs overturned by the Supreme Court using other trade authorities.
- Still, Trump for months has been warning that a loss would be economically devastating for the country — even though the U.S. had long survived without the highest tariffs in nearly a century.
What they're saying: "Tomorrow's United States Supreme Court case is, literally, LIFE OR DEATH for our Country," Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday evening.
- "With a Victory, we have tremendous, but fair, Financial and National Security. Without it, we are virtually defenseless against other Countries who have, for years, taken advantage of us," he wrote.
- "Our Stock Market is consistently hitting Record Highs, and our Country has never been more respected than it is right now. A big part of this is the Economic Security created by Tariffs, and the Deals that we have negotiated because of them."
The big picture: The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear arguments in a case that argues that Trump overstepped his powers in imposing a bulk of his tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
- Those tariffs include the wide-ranging global tariffs enacted on Liberation Day, as well as those slapped on imports from China, Mexico and Canada.
- The plaintiffs argue that the 50-year-old law, which has never before been used to impose import taxes, don't extend tariff powers to the president.
- Department of Justice lawyers say the tariffs give Trump leverage to address the trade deficit and other issues that the White House has deemed emergencies.
The bottom line: The Supreme Court might not rule on the case for several more weeks, with the possibility that a decision won't come until next year.
- What they decide could curb Trump's powers — or open the door for Trump and future presidents to use the emergency powers to bypass Congress.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to attend the Supreme Court hearing, telling Fox News on Monday night that he would be "hopefully in the front row, and have a ringside seat."
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