The looming Supreme Court tariffs case could cost American taxpayers up to $1 trillion if President Trump’s signature trade measures are struck down. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned in a court filing that the government “could be forced to hand over between $750 billion and $1 trillion” should the justices side with importers challenging Trump’s tariffs.
The tariffs, launched during Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement in April, have already delivered tens of billions into U.S. coffers. A staggering $30 billion was collected in July alone, a 242% increase from the same month last year. Supporters argue these revenues have strengthened America’s economic position against hostile foreign competitors.
However, lower courts have ruled the tariffs an executive overreach. Trump’s legal team has urged the Supreme Court to intervene swiftly, warning that “unwinding them could cause significant disruption.”
Solicitor General D. John Sauer captured the White House’s sentiments: “To the President and his most senior advisors, these tariffs thus present a stark choice: With tariffs, we are a rich nation; without tariffs, we are a poor nation.”
According to Sauer, “The economic consequences would be ruinous, instead of unprecedented success.”
