In 'State of Union' speech, US President Trump slams SC tariff verdict, claims America 'ahead like never before'

In his "People's State of the Union" speech, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday adopted a victorious and clear tone, describing the past year as a significant national turnaround. Trump praised his tariff action, which the Supreme Court now considers illegal. He claimed he generated hundreds of billions of dollars from these tariffs to secure beneficial deals for the country, both economically and for national security.

Trump noted that other countries were taking advantage and "ripping" the US "very bad" for years. He remarked that even Democrats are aware of this, but they "just don't want to say it".

"Yet these countries are now happy, so are we… we made deals… deals are all done… they are now making a lot of money,” Trump was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. He added that the tariffs paid by foreign countries, he believes will replace the "modern-day system of income tax".

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'We are winning big', says Trump

Calling the Supreme Court ruling that struck down tariffs "very unfortunate", Trump said the good news is that almost all countries and corporations want to keep the deals they made. They know that the legal powers he has as president to create a new agreement could be "far worse" for them. "We are winning big," he said.

"And therefore, they will continue to work along the same successful path that we have negotiated before the Supreme Court's unfortunate involvement. So despite the disappointing ruling, these powerful country saving, it's saving our country, the kind of money we're taking in, peace protecting… many of the wars I settled were because of the threat of tariffs," Trump said.

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'Tariffs will replace modern day system of income tax'

Trump said that the tariffs will replace the modern-day system of income tax and be of great help financially.

He said, "…They're a little more complex, but they're actually probably better, leading to a solution that will be even stronger than before. Congressional action will not be necessary."

“It's already time-tested and approved. And as time goes by, I believe the tariffs, paid for by foreign countries, will, like in the past, substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love,” Trump added.