 "President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, on April 2, 2025, in Washington. AP File")
US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his expansive tariff regime, claiming the duties had made the country “Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe,” in a post on his Truth Social account.
Trump argued that the tariff framework he “set in place” has given the United States “all the cards,” asserting that the measures had helped stop wars, strengthened alliances and prevented other nations from “ripping off the United States anymore.”
He claimed the stock market and retirement savings had risen sharply, adding that “Inflation, Prices and Taxes are down,” and that education was “being brought back to the States.” Trump also said the US military and southern border were “the strongest they have ever been,” insisting the country is “respected again, respected like never before.”
He attributed these outcomes to what he described as “Strong leadership and tariffs.”
The president’s comments come as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the scope of presidential authority to impose tariffs without congressional approval.
According to Fox Business, tariff revenues have risen sharply in recent months, hitting a record $34.2 billion in October. The United States collected $215.2 billion in duties during fiscal year 2025, while the Treasury has already reported $41.6 billion in revenue in fiscal 2026.
Since Trump introduced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, collections jumped from $23.9 billion in May to $29 billion in July, with August and September together bringing in $62.6 billion, Fox Business reported. While US businesses pay these import taxes, many pass the costs on to consumers, though Trump has recently eased some duties to reduce price pressures.
Trump has pledged that tariff revenues could fund a one-time $2,000 dividend for low- and middle-income households. Fox Business also reported that US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently said the payments would not fuel inflation and would offer “welcome relief” without shifting the broader economic outlook.
Quick Reads
View AllTrump ended his post by urging Americans to “pray to God” that the Supreme Court “do the right thing for America.”