'We have all the cards': Trump credits tariffs for stock market rally, lower inflation, claims US respected like never before

US President Donald Trump on Saturday defended his sweeping tariff regime, saying the duties had made the country “Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe,” in a post on his Truth Social account.

Trump argued that because of the tariff framework he “set in place,” the United States now holds “all the cards,” asserting that the measures had stopped wars, strengthened alliances and prevented other nations from “ripping off the United States anymore.”

This comes just days after the US president’s claim that the government is bringing in “massive” revenue from this year’s tariffs — a windfall he says could allow the country to afford major tax cuts.

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'Inflation, prices and taxes are down,' claims Trump

In his Saturday post on Truth Social on tariffs, he claimed the stock market and retirement savings had surged, adding that “Inflation, Prices and Taxes are down,” and that education was “being brought back to the States.”

Trump also said the US military and southern border were “the strongest they have ever been,” contending that the country is “respected again, respected like never before.”

"Tariffs have made our Country Rich, Strong, Powerful, and Safe. They have been successfully used by other Countries against us for Decades, but when it comes to Tariffs, and because of what I have set in place, WE HAVE ALL THE CARDS, and with a smart President, we always will! Wars have been stopped, and stronger relationships with other countries have been built, even though they are not allowed to rip off the United States anymore," he wrote in his Truth Social post.

"The Stock Market and 401k’s have hit an all time high, Inflation, Prices and Taxes are DOWN. Education is being brought back to the States (where it belongs!), and our Military, and Southern Border, is the strongest they have ever been. The USA is respected again, respected like never before," The US president added.

He attributed these outcomes to what he described as “Strong leadership and tariffs.” The president’s remarks come at a sensitive moment, as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on the extent of presidential authority to impose duties without congressional approval.

Trump ended his post by urging Americans to “pray to God” that the Supreme Court “do the right thing for America,” as the White House prepares for a decision that could shape the future of his trade agenda. The court has yet to rule on the legality of the tariffs he imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

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Record tariff collections fuel Trump’s economic pitch

Tariff revenues have risen sharply in recent months, with a record $34.2 billion collected in October, as per a foreign media report. Total duties reached $215.2 billion in fiscal year 2025, with the Treasury recording $41.6 billion so far in fiscal 2026. Since Trump introduced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, monthly collections have jumped from $23.9 billion in May to $29 billion in July, with August and September together adding $62.6 billion.

While US businesses pay these import taxes and often pass costs to consumers, Trump recently lifted some duties to ease price pressures. He has also proposed using tariff revenue to fund a one-time $2,000 dividend for low- and middle-income households. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the payments would not fuel inflation and would offer “welcome relief," foreign media reported.

Tariff strategy at the core of Trump’s agenda

Since returning to the White House this year, Trump has implemented a sweeping tariff regime imposing between 10 per cent and 50 per cent duties on most imports, depending on the country of origin. The administration argues the approach boosts revenue, protects US manufacturing and steers consumers toward American products. Critics, however, warn that tariffs function as hidden taxes and risk retaliation from key trade partners.