Washington DC [US], December 8 (ANI): US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walked the red carpet at the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington, where the president underscored his administration’s tariff-driven strategy and its national security implications.
Speaking about tariffs, Trump said, “We have tremendous flexibility with the current system. It’s unbelievable for national security. I’ve ended eight wars, largely because of trade and because of tariffs.” He further added, “If we go the other tariff route, it won’t give you the same pure national security.”
His remarks came ahead of a pivotal Supreme Court ruling on whether he exceeded presidential authority by imposing broad duties under emergency powers. The justices are expected to determine in the coming weeks whether Trump violated federal law when applying sweeping tariffs during his second term.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly imposed and reinstated tariffs on several trading partners, increasing costs on goods ranging from appliances and lumber to electrical components. A coalition of businesses and trade groups has challenged his approach, arguing that he misused the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by treating it as a blanket mechanism for tariffs.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump addressed the anticipated ruling, asserting that he has alternative strategies if the current tariff framework is restricted. “While the United States has other methods of charging TARIFFS against foreign countries, many of whom have, for YEARS, TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF OUR NATION, the current method of Tariffing before the United States Supreme Court is far more DIRECT, LESS CUMBERSOME, and MUCH FASTER,” he wrote.
Trump also claimed broad presidential authority over national security and foreign affairs, saying he had “settled 8 Wars in 10 months because of the rights clearly given to the President of the United States.”
To ensure continuity of the tariff system should the Court limit existing measures, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been working on a fallback plan. His proposed “plan B” would rely on other statutory tools and enhanced actions targeting economic competition.
“We can recreate the exact tariff structure with 301s, with 232s, with the—I think they’re called—122s,” he said, referencing three separate legal provisions governing trade actions. Section 301 addresses unfair foreign trade practices, Section 232 allows tariffs on imports that threaten national security, and Section 122 enables short-term tariffs or quotas during balance-of-payments emergencies.
Bessent cautioned that if the Supreme Court invalidates the current tariff regime, the government could face “massive refunds” owed to companies that have paid these duties. He noted that the Treasury may have to return significant amounts already counted as federal revenue, posing both fiscal and administrative challenges.
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