U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning on Sunday, declaring that America would be “completely destroyed” without the tariffs he imposed during his administration. His comments came just days after a federal appeals court declared most of those duties illegal.
“Without Tariffs, and all of the TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS we have already taken in, our Country would be completely destroyed, and our military power would be instantly obliterated,” Trump wrote in a TruthSocial post. He blasted the court’s 7–4 ruling, branding the majority judges “a Radical Left group.”
In a surprising twist, Trump praised one dissenting judge, “a Democrat, Obama appointed”, for siding with his policy, thanking him for his “Courage” and “respect for the USA.”
The Court’s 7–4 Ruling Against Tariffs
On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit struck down several tariffs, ruling that Trump lacked the authority to impose open-ended duties on nearly all imports. The court deemed the measures unlawful but allowed them to remain in place until October 14, giving Trump time to take the fight to the Supreme Court.
Democratic-run states and a group of small import companies led the legal effort.
Their argument: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not grant presidents sweeping powers to impose tariffs indefinitely.
Tariffs at the Heart of Trump’s Trade Policy
A key component of Trump’s economic agenda, tariffs are intended to safeguard American businesses and lessen reliance on imports. However, they have also increased tensions over international trade.
India currently faces one of the heaviest burdens, a 50% duty, primarily due to its continued import of Russian oil. European nations and Asian exporters have also pushed back, warning that Trump’s tariffs destabilize global markets. Trump has frequently linked tariffs to American economic might and military security, framing them as necessary for the country’s existence in spite of criticism.
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Navarro Calls Court “Politicians in Black Robes”
Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade adviser, doubled down on Fox News, dismissing the ruling as politically driven. “The judges who opposed Trump’s policy are politicians in black robes,” he argued. Navarro pointed out that the dissenting opinions offered “a very clear road map to how the Supreme Court can certainly rule in our favor.” He insisted that tariffs were never designed to be permanent but rather a tool to strengthen America’s trade position.
“We feel very optimistic. If we lose the case, President Trump is right. It will be the end of the United States,” Navarro said.
With the October 14 deadline looming, the fate of Trump’s tariffs now rests with the Supreme Court. If the court agrees to hear the case, the ruling could reshape U.S. trade policy for years to come. Until then, America’s trading partners, and domestic businesses, will be watching closely, as billions of dollars in global commerce hang in the balance.
