Donald Trump said tariffs imposed on foreign goods could eventually replace the US income tax system, arguing that such revenue would ease the financial burden on American citizens.
Speaking during his State of the Union address, Trump said tariffs paid by foreign countries could “substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax.”
Remarks made before Supreme Court justices
The comments came in the presence of John Roberts, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan, who attended the annual address.
Trump greeted the justices before criticising the court’s recent ruling that blocked his global tariff plan.
The decision saw conservative justices Roberts, Barrett and Neil Gorsuch join liberal members of the court to strike down the tariff measure.
Trump attacks ruling and conservative judges
The president expressed anger at the ruling and singled out conservative judges who opposed his tariffs.
He said he was “ashamed” of the decision and accused some judges of siding with political opponents.
Barrett and Gorsuch were both appointed by Trump, while he praised Kavanaugh, another of his appointees.
Why tariffs are central to Trump’s economic strategy
Trump has long argued that tariffs:
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force trading partners to bear costs
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protect domestic industries
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reduce reliance on income taxes
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strengthen US negotiating leverage
However, critics warn tariffs often increase costs for importers and consumers rather than foreign governments alone.
Legal and political tensions continue
The Supreme Court ruling dealt a major blow to Trump’s trade policy and triggered an ongoing conflict between the executive branch and the judiciary.
Despite the setback, Trump has signaled he will pursue alternative legal routes to maintain tariff measures.
The debate now reflects a broader ideological clash over taxation, trade protectionism and the limits of presidential power.
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