The Trump administration's tariff policy is under serious legal pressure as the US Supreme Court considers cancelling a wide range of tariffs imposed through executive orders.
Donald Trump warned that such a development would lead to "absolute chaos", speaking of huge fiscal and economic costs for the United States.
In a lengthy post on social media, the US president said that "we're screwed" in the event that the Supreme Court rules against the tariffs, noting that the country will face hundreds of billions of dollars in restitution obligations.
Crucial Legal Test for Trade Strategy
The Supreme Court's decision is expected to be handed down as soon as Wednesday, posing a pivotal legal test not only for trade policy, but also for Trump's broader model of governance.
As he said, in the event of a cancellation of the tariffs, "the actual amounts that would have to be returned would amount to many hundreds of billions of dollars", not counting the reparations that countries and companies may require for investments made with the aim of avoiding the tariffs.
Risk of costs skyrocketing into trillions
Trump argued that, if investments in factories, manufacturing units and equipment were added, the total cost could rise to trillions of dollars. As he noted, "it will take many years to calculate the total amount" or even "who, when and where will pay".
"It would be an absolute mess and almost impossible for our country to pay," he said.
Doubts about the power to impose tariffs
It is recalled that as early as November, the Supreme Court had expressed reservations about the legal basis of the extended tariff regime, with judges questioning the president's authority to impose such wide-ranging tariffs through executive acts.
The case is expected to be a benchmark for the limits of presidential power in United States trade policy.
