Trump warns US will become 'Third World Nation' if federal courts strike down his tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that tariffs are driving more than US$15 trillion in new U.S. investment and that if courts should strike them down, the U.S. would likely become a "Third World Nation."

Trump’s post comes in direct response to a federal appeals court delivering a major legal setback to his trade policy, declaring most of his sweeping tariffs unlawful under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or IEEPA.

The decision supports earlier rulings by the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Although they are still in effect, the tariffs face an uncertain future unless the Supreme Court intervenes. The stay delays enforcement until mid-October.

Trump added that if the "Radical Left Court" struck down the tariffs, almost all the anticipated investments would collapse, making the U.S. a "third-world nation" with no path back to greatness.

"If a Radical Left Court is allowed to terminate these Tariffs, almost all of this investment, and much more, will be immediately cancelled! In many ways, we would become a Third World Nation, with no hope of GREATNESS again. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!! " Trump wrote.

Independent analyses have found zero evidence to support Trump’s US$15 trillion figure.

According to Reuters and FactCheck.org, the White House’s own "Trump Effect" website lists about US$2.6 trillion in announced investments, with a broader tally of US$5.1 trillion when including pledges – still far below Trump’s claim.

In his post, Trump pushed what he described as the economic benefits of his trade policies, boasting that prices are "WAY DOWN," and that inflation is almost non-existent due to the tariffs pouring "Trillions" into the economy.

"Prices are ‘WAY DOWN’ in the USA, with virtually no inflation. With the exception of ridiculous, corrupt politician approved ‘Windmills,’ which are killing every State and Country that uses them, Energy prices are falling, ‘big time,’" he said.

He also pointed out that gasoline is at a low and that tariffs are making "America STRONG and RESPECTED AGAIN!!!."

"Gasoline is at many year lows. All of this despite magnificent Tariffs, which are bringing in Trillions of Dollars from Countries that took total advantage of us, for decades, and are making America STRONG and RESPECTED AGAIN!!!," he added. - Sept 1, 2025