Former President Donald Trump is raising concerns about the potential chaos he believes will ensue if the Supreme Court decides to overturn his significant tariff policy.

Trump has heavily invested in this policy, promoting it as a vital solution to many of America’s economic challenges. He has even suggested that most Americans could eventually receive payments of at least $2,000 each from the revenue generated by these tariffs.

On a recent event on Monday, Trump took to warning that a negative ruling from the Supreme Court in a high-profile case concerning these tariffs could spell serious difficulties for the United States.

The case argues whether the president possesses the authority to implement broad global tariffs without requiring congressional approval—especially concerning the robust trade strategies unveiled by Trump last year.

The Financial Impact

In an extensive post shared on Truth Social, Trump outlined what he perceives as the financial catastrophe that might occur if the Supreme Court were to rule unfavorably against his administration’s tariff implementations. According to Trump, the potential repayment figures would total in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

Trump also emphasized that these figures do not account for the ‘paybacks’ that countries and corporations might demand concerning their investments in plants, factories, and equipment. When considering these long-term investments, he highlighted that the financial repercussions could reach into the trillions, making repayment a near-impossible task for the country.

Throughout his second term, Trump leaned on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to justify the initiation of various tariffs. This law provides presidents with the authority to enact economic measures under declared national emergencies. Trump declared such an emergency due to ongoing U.S. trade deficits.

Under this directive, tariffs have been applied to over $150 billion worth of goods from major trade partners, including China, India, Canada, and the European Union.

The initiative was intended to prompt fairer trade practices by using a ‘reciprocal’ approach while encouraging a resurgence of U.S.-based manufacturing.

A New Move Against Iran

In his latest tariff maneuver, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from any nation with commercial connections to Iran, declaring this decision as immediate and unchangeable.

Already battling severe economic sanctions from the U.S., Iran is experiencing a volatile currency and escalating inflation, particularly in food prices.

As food imports represent a considerable portion of Iran’s economy, these new tariffs could exacerbate shortages and amplify prices further. China’s trading relationship with Iran, along with other key players like Iraq and Turkey, entails that such a move could have substantial ripple effects.

Critics have voiced strong opposition to the expansive nature of these tariffs, arguing that even minor countries face unfair consequences, with U.S. consumers and businesses absorbing higher costs, dealing with customs intricacies, and experiencing frayed ties with key international allies.

Additionally, Trump’s unilateral method, bypassing Congress in enacting such extensive economic policies, has sparked significant legal challenges. Over 1,000 lawsuits have been filed against the government, with many coming from large importers within the U.S.

Legal Battles and Potential Consequences

Last May, the U.S. Court of International Trade found these tariffs to be unlawful—a decision upheld by the Federal Circuit in August.

The Supreme Court was expected to deliver a verdict last Friday but has since delayed making a decision. Addressing this uncertainty, Trump remarked on the complexity of reversing these tariffs.

“Anyone perceiving this as a simple, speedy task is mistaken,” Trump wrote, noting the significant challenge of calculating the financial fallout accurately.

He elaborated that even identifying and quantifying the financial implications could prove overwhelming, predicting that understanding how, when, or where compensation might be addressed would take many years.

Trump concluded his reflections with a stark reminder of what he believes is at stake. He stated, “When America thrives, the world thrives with it. Should the Supreme Court rule adversely against America’s national security interests, we would face dire consequences.”