Overview
- Trump said scrapping the import duties would require the United States to return “trillions of dollars.”
- He asserted the tariffs have funneled about $17 trillion into the U.S. economy, could reach $21 trillion by year’s end, and helped end several conflicts, claims not independently verified.
- He acknowledged the administration may need a “Plan B” if the Supreme Court rules against the tariffs.
- Initial Supreme Court arguments on Nov. 5 drew reported skepticism from some justices about the program’s legality, though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the opening left him with a very good impression.
- The case reached the Court after business groups sued and the D.C. Circuit on Aug. 29 found Trump lacked authority for many measures, prompting a Sept. 4 appeal.