US President Donald Trump once again doubled down on his controversial tariff policy, declaring that his aggressive trade levies have made the United States the “richest” and “most respected” country in the world.
Calling his critics “fools,” Trump claimed that every American; except the wealthy; will soon receive at least $2,000 (approximately ₹1.77 lakh) from the tariff revenues collected by his administration.
His remarks come just days after the US Supreme Court raised serious questions about the legality of Trump’s sweeping tariffs, in a case that could have far-reaching effects on global trade and presidential authority.
“People that are against tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation, and a record stock market,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “401(k)s are at their highest ever. We are taking in trillions of dollars and will soon begin paying down our enormous debt — $37 trillion.”
Trump further claimed that his tariff strategy has triggered a “record investment boom” across the country, adding, “Factories and plants are going up all over the place. A dividend of at least $2,000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone.”
In his online tirade, Trump defended his authority to impose tariffs, arguing that the president has full constitutional powers to protect national security through trade restrictions.
“The President of the United States is allowed to stop all trade with a foreign country; which is far harsher than a tariff; but cannot impose a simple tariff for national security? That’s ridiculous!” he wrote. “Other countries can tariff us, but we can’t tariff them? Businesses are pouring into the USA only because of tariffs!”
The comments followed a tense Supreme Court hearing in which both conservative and liberal justices questioned whether Trump’s unilateral imposition of tariffs under a 1977 emergency powers law overstepped presidential authority.
While some conservative justices acknowledged the broad powers granted to the executive branch in foreign affairs, others appeared skeptical about Trump’s interpretation of those powers.
The court currently holding a 6-3 conservative majority will soon decide whether Trump’s use of the emergency statute to impose tariffs of unlimited duration violated the Constitution.
Lower courts previously ruled that his unprecedented application of the law exceeded presidential authority, after lawsuits were filed by affected businesses and 12 US states, mostly Democrat-led.
If upheld, Trump’s tariffs; taxes on imported goods; could generate trillions of dollars for the US economy over the next decade.
However, they have also provoked global trade tensions and domestic inflation concerns, even as Trump continues to hail them as one of his signature economic triumphs.
