Treasury Secretary Questions Viability of Trump's $2,000 Tariff Rebate
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has cast fresh doubt on President Donald Trump's proposed $2,000 tariff rebate, saying he has a sense the public will not receive the money following a Supreme Court setback on the administration's 'Liberation Day' tariffs.Speaking after the Friday ruling, Bessent said: 'I got a feeling the American people won't see it,' referring to the suggested rebate payment.Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Pours Cold Water On Tariff Rebate ChecksBessent's remark landed as questions swirled about whether any tariff-funded rebate could realistically move from talking point to policy. He was discussing the rebate idea in the context of the Supreme Court decision that undercut the tariff programme Trump has pointed to as a potential funding source.The Treasury chief's scepticism also reflected the lack of an agreed mechanism to distribute such a payment. No final plan has been publicly set out by the White House or enacted by Congress, leaving the rebate concept vulnerable to legal and political shocks.
What Trump Promised About The $2,000 Tariff RebateTrump, who first raised the idea back in July 2025, gave it a firmer timeline in January, describing an eventual rebate cheque tied to tariff revenue in comments to The New York Times. He said: 'The tariff money is so substantial. That's coming in, that I'll be able to do $2,000 sometime. I would say toward the end of the year,'Trump later indicated the payments would be delivered in 2026 and aimed at 'individuals of moderate income'. Even then, key details remained missing, including eligibility rules, a payment timetable, and whether lawmakers would be asked to vote on the programme.Why The SCOTUS Tariffs Ruling Puts The Rebate At RiskThe rebate pitch depended on a steady stream of tariff receipts, but that premise was thrown into doubt after the Supreme Court ruled Trump exceeded his power by issuing global tariffs without authorisation from Congress. The decision immediately sharpened scrutiny of any plan to recycle tariff proceeds back to households.Bessent also questioned the fundamental value of the idea, arguing that any payout would end up benefiting corporations rather than ordinary Americans. 'If there is a payout, it's just going to be the ultimate corporate welfare,' he said, adding that the revenue affected by the ruling would be closer to $130 billion than estimates of up to $175 billion.
Trump Targets Supreme Court Justices And Unveils A New 10% LevyTrump responded with an unusually direct attack on the court majority. 'The Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I'm ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what's right for the country,' Trump said in the White House briefing room.Trump made clear he has no intention of backing down on trade. He also signalled he intends to press ahead with a new trade move despite the court loss, saying he signed an executive order imposing a flat 10% levy on foreign goods, set to take effect within days.
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