Trump says tariffs critical to national security as Supreme Court prepares landmark decision

Trump's tariffs head to the high court

The Supreme Court will weigh the limits of presidential authority.

President Donald Trump defended his use of tariffs as critical to national security ahead of a landmark Supreme Court case, while warning the U.S. will not tolerate the mass killing of Christians in Nigeria and refusing to rule out potential military action in Venezuela.

Trump spoke with reporters on Air Force One as he flew from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Washington, D.C.

He was asked about the upcoming Supreme Court case on tariffs, which he called "one of the most important decisions in the history of our country."

Trump argued that the outcome will determine whether presidents can use tariffs freely as a tool for both economic leverage and national security.

TRUMP'S TARIFF POWER GRAB BARRELS TOWARD SUPREME COURT

During a gaggle aboard Air Force One on Sunday, President Donald Trump said, "If we don't have tariffs, we don't have national security." (Ken Cedeno/Reuters)

"Other countries use tariffs against us, and we weren't able to openly and freely use tariffs against them," Trump said. "I'll give you an example – China. That was going to be a disaster for the world, and I was able to settle it very quickly, very easily because I was able to use tariffs. It's total national security, and economic health is also part of national security, by the way."

Trump said he will not attend oral arguments to avoid drawing attention to himself, explaining, "It’s not about me. It’s about our country." Instead, he plans to deliver a speech in Miami.

"I wanted to go so badly," he said. "I just didn’t want to do anything to deflect from the importance of that decision. If we don't have tariffs, we don't have national security, and the rest of the world would laugh at us because they've used tariffs against us for years and took advantage of us."

TRUMP ASKS SUPREME COURT FOR URGENT RULING ON TARIFF POWERS AS 'STAKES COULD NOT BE HIGHER'

The Supreme Court building is seen in Washington, D.C. President Trump warned that the upcoming Supreme Court case on tariffs could reshape America’s economic and national security future. (Jon Elswick/AP Photo)

He credited tariffs for driving the stock market to 48 record highs during his term and said they remain essential for "fair and sustainable" trade deals.

"We've become wealthy," he said. "Our stock market hit a record high on Friday – 48 record highs during my term – and a large part of that is because of tariffs and our good trade deals. Without that, you couldn’t make a good trade deal. We were being abused by a lot of other countries, including China, for years. Not anymore. Tariffs have brought us tremendous national security."

Trump warned in a post on Truth Social that the upcoming Supreme Court case on tariffs could reshape America’s economic and national security future, arguing that presidents must have the power to impose tariffs freely to protect U.S. interests and negotiate strong trade deals.

SUPREME COURT PREPARES TO CONFRONT MONUMENTAL CASE OVER TRUMP EXECUTIVE POWER AND TARIFF AUTHORITY

President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025.  (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

He said tariffs have fueled record market growth and "great wealth" during his presidency and remain vital to keeping the country competitive with global powers.

"It will be, in my opinion, one of the most important and consequential decisions ever made by the United States Supreme Court," Trump said. "If we win, we will be the richest, most secure country anywhere in the world, by far. If we lose, our country could be reduced to almost third world status."

On foreign policy, Trump dismissed questions about using frozen Russian assets as leverage, saying Europe and Russia "are having discussions" and that he was "not involved."

TRUMP’S DEADLINE ON SECONDARY TARIFFS ARRIVES; US-RUSSIAN RELATIONS HANG IN THE BALANCE

Ukrainian servicemen of the 44th artillery brigade fire a 2s22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer towards Russian positions at the frontline in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025. (Danylo Antoniuk/AP Photo)

He ruled out sending long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, saying "not really" when asked if he was considering it.

"There's no final straw," he added. "Sometimes you have to let it fight it out – that fighting and then fighting it out. It's been a tough war for a lot of soldiers."

Trump also said the U.S. will not tolerate the mass killing of Christians in Nigeria.

TRUMP LEARNS A LESSON GROUNDED IN FAITH, HOW BEST TO STAND TOUGH ON TRADE WITH CHINA

President Trump said the U.S. will not tolerate the mass killing of Christians in Nigeria. (Associated Press)

"They're killing record numbers of Christians in Nigeria," Trump said. "They're killing the Christians and killing them in very large numbers. We're not going to allow that to happen."

A day earlier, he warned the U.S. will halt aid if Abuja does not stop the killings and said he may order rapid action to wipe out Islamist terrorists after designating Nigeria a country of particular concern.

The persecution of Christians in Nigeria has reached crisis levels as Islamist militants burn down villages, massacre worshipers and displace thousands across the north and central regions.

When asked about potential U.S. strikes in Venezuela, Trump declined to confirm or deny, saying, "How can I answer a question like that?"

"Who would say that?" Trump asked a reporter. "Supposing there were – would I say that to you? Honestly. Yes, we have plans. We have very secret plans. Look, we'll see what happens with Venezuela. Venezuela sent us thousands and thousands, hundreds of thousands of people from prisons, from mental institutions, drug addicts – and so did other countries."

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He blamed President Biden’s immigration policies for allowing criminals to cross into the U.S., calling him "the worst president in the history of our country."

Trump added, "It’s the other countries too, because we were run by very stupid people, very, very stupid people. Biden, who is the worst president in the history of our country by far… Many countries, they sent their prisoners – they sent drug dealers, they sent drug addicts. They sent anybody they didn’t want. They sent them through our country. And Venezuela was one of the worst abusers."

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @GregWehner.