As the US Supreme Court moves to determine the legality of tariff policies, President Donald Trump stated on the 9th (local time), "Thanks to tariffs, we are earning trillions of dollars, and we will soon begin to pay off the massive debt of 37 trillion dollars (about 53,942 trillion won)." Even as conservative Supreme Court justices express skepticism about the tariff policy, President Trump has been actively defending tariffs, which are a core part of his foreign policy, on a daily basis.

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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On the same day, President Trump posted on his own social media platform, Truth Social, saying, "People who oppose tariffs are fools," and claimed, "We have now become the wealthiest and most respected country in the world. Inflation is almost nonexistent, stock prices are at all-time highs, and 401(k) retirement pensions are also at record levels."

He added, "Record investments are being made across the United States, and factories are being built everywhere," and stated, "A minimum dividend of $2,000 (about 2.91 million won) per person will be paid to everyone except the high-income bracket."

However, he did not provide any specific details regarding the dividend payments. In the market, there are widespread expectations that rather than providing dividend benefits, the increased tariffs will become a burden on companies, which will likely lead to higher consumer prices in the United States.

In this context, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained in an interview with ABC News on the same day that the proposed dividends could be realized not from tariff revenue, but from the tax reduction effects of the tax cut bill passed by Congress in July. Since the Constitution grants taxation authority to Congress, it appears that President Trump's remarks about "paying dividends to the public from tariff revenue" were made with an awareness that this could negatively affect the Supreme Court's ruling.

Scott Bessent, US Secretary of the Treasury. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

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President Trump further clarified in another post, stating, "Let me make this clear: the President of the United States can, with full approval from Congress, suspend all trade with foreign countries (which is a much harsher measure than tariffs) and can also grant permissions to foreign countries." He continued, "However, if even imposing tariffs on foreign countries for national security purposes is not allowed, that is not what the Founding Fathers intended, and it would be utterly absurd."

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

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Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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He argued, "Other countries impose tariffs on us, but if we cannot impose tariffs on them, that would be their dream scenario," and insisted, "It is only because of tariffs that companies are flooding into the United States." He also expressed dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court, saying, "Has the US Supreme Court not heard about this? What on earth is going on?"

Previously, the Supreme Court began hearings on November 5 regarding the legality of the Trump administration's reciprocal tariff policy, which was based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The policy was ruled illegal in both the first and second trials, and now awaits the Supreme Court's final judgment. If the Supreme Court rules the tariff policy illegal, the Trump administration will be required to refund more than 100 billion dollars (about 145.8 trillion won) in tax revenue. While the Trump administration may attempt to push the tariff policy through other legal means, the legitimacy and momentum of the policy are expected to suffer significant damage. The Supreme Court's final decision is expected as early as the end of the year.