Overview
- President Trump wrote that the country would be "screwed" if the justices strike down his emergency tariff authority, claiming repayments could reach hundreds of billions and potentially more when broader costs are included.
- The Supreme Court heard the case in November and could issue an opinion as soon as Wednesday, though the timing remains uncertain.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department holds $774 billion in cash and could issue refunds over weeks or months, calling the process manageable if required.
- Reporting cites roughly $133.5 billion collected under the IEEPA tariffs through mid-December, lower courts have ruled against that legal basis, and refunds would involve complex customs timelines.
- Officials have indicated they could try to reimpose duties under other statutes such as Sections 232 or 301 if the IEEPA program falls, while sector-specific tariffs imposed under different authorities are not at issue in this case.