Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Nov 11: US President Donald Trump on Monday warned that the country could face an “economic and national security disaster” if the Supreme Court rules against his use of emergency powers to impose wide-ranging tariffs on nearly all countries.

Speaking at the swearing-in of new envoy to India, Sergio Gor, Trump said his administration plans to issue a $2,000 payment to lower- and middle-income Americans using tariff dividends, while the remaining proceeds would go toward reducing the national debt. “We’re going to issue a dividend to our middle and lower-income people – about $2,000 – and use the rest to lower our debt,” Trump said.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said the administration initially planned to use tariff revenues for deficit reduction but now intends to proceed with the dividend due to “a big surge in tax revenues.”

Trump’s comments come amid declining approval ratings and growing voter frustration over inflation and affordability issues that have hurt Republicans in recent state elections.

The Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether Trump had the authority under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose the tariffs. During hearings, justices expressed concern that a ruling against the former president could force the government to refund over $100 billion in duties collected from importers.

Trump dismissed those figures as “far too low,” claiming potential repayments could exceed $2 trillion. “It would be an economic disaster, a national security disaster if we lost the case,” he said.

Despite concerns over rising costs, Trump maintained that inflation was falling under his administration, predicting it would soon drop to 1.5%. Recent data showed consumer prices up 3.0% year-on-year, with tariffs continuing to raise costs of household goods.