The Supreme Court holds America's economic future in its hands.
Nine justices will decide whether Trump can defend the nation.
And Peter Navarro just issued one dire warning about the Supreme Court that should terrify every American.
Trump's top trade advisor sounds the alarm on national security
President Trump's senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro didn't mince words about what's at stake in the Supreme Court's upcoming tariff decision.
"We're in a perilous situation," Navarro warned on Fox Business's Mornings with Maria on Wednesday morning.
The justices are weighing whether Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose his America First tariffs.
Lower courts struck down the tariffs as unconstitutional.
But Navarro made clear this isn't just about trade policy.
"We don't have resilient, secure supply chains that will protect us in times of conflict," Navarro explained.
"Our economic security is in great peril right now because of that."
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in November on two consolidated cases challenging Trump's emergency tariffs on China, Mexico, Canada, and dozens of other countries.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed Tuesday the Court plans to announce its decision in January.
That ruling could force the government to refund between $750 billion and $1 trillion to importers if the justices side against Trump.
Democrats weaponized the courts to destroy Trump's economic agenda
Trump invoked IEEPA in April 2025 after declaring national emergencies over America's massive trade deficits and the flood of fentanyl pouring across our borders.
The President imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on countries that have been taking advantage of America for decades.
But an activist judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade blocked the tariffs in May.
The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld that ruling in August with a 7-4 decision.
Four dissenting judges argued IEEPA's broad language authorizing the President to "regulate importation" clearly includes tariff authority during declared emergencies.
The majority claimed Trump was trying to use emergency powers to bypass Congress's constitutional authority over taxes and tariffs.
171 House Democrats and 36 Senate Democrats filed a brief attacking Trump's tariffs as "illegal" and "chaotic."
Senator Ron Wyden whined that Trump was "forcing skyrocketing costs onto households across the country."
But Navarro shut down that talking point immediately.
"It's a national emergency that China is killing us with fentanyl," Navarro stated.
"I, for years, have talked about the corrosive effect of our trade deficit on our national security by offshoring our manufacturing and defense industrial base."
The Supreme Court must choose between the Constitution and activist judges
The Constitution gives Congress the power to "lay and collect" duties and regulate foreign commerce.
Democrats and Never-Trump lawyers argue Trump violated the separation of powers by imposing tariffs without explicit congressional authorization.
But Congress passed IEEPA precisely to give Presidents emergency economic powers to respond to threats.
The law allows the President to "regulate" imports during a declared national emergency involving an "unusual and extraordinary threat."
Trump's lawyers argue China flooding America with fentanyl that kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year qualifies as an extraordinary threat.
So does the massive trade deficit that has hollowed out America's manufacturing base and left us vulnerable to foreign enemies.
"If the Supreme Court wants to support the tariffs, they certainly will be on the right side of the law on this," Navarro argued.
"The Supreme Court has all the facts before it. It would be an extraordinary denial, particularly in light of the incredible success of the policies."
Navarro pointed out Trump's tariffs have brought "billions and billions" of dollars into the economy and allowed the administration to negotiate better deals that strengthen national security.
"Every country in the world, it's a major trading partner that we run a major deficit with," Navarro explained.
"They all screw us in their own ways."
Trump is fighting to bring jobs and factories back to America after decades of politicians shipping them overseas.
But that requires using tariffs as leverage against countries that refuse to play fair.
"President Trump is doing everything he can to bring those jobs and factories onshore," Navarro said.
"It takes time, but the things that are taking place now all point in the direction of a strong, secure America — if President Trump is able to continue to use tariffs as a national security measure under IEEPA."
The Supreme Court's decision will determine whether future Presidents have the tools they need to defend America from economic warfare.
If the justices side with Democrat attorneys general and block Trump's tariffs, they'll be telling China and every other country that America won't fight back when they destroy our industries and kill our citizens with drugs.
That's a message no Supreme Court should ever send.
¹ Kristen Altus, "Navarro warns US economy in 'perilous situation' as Supreme Court weighs Trump tariff powers," Fox Business, December 17, 2025.
² Scott Bessent, "Bessent says Supreme Court tariff ruling, Fed chair pick expected in January," Fox Business, December 16, 2025.