"$2,000 paid per person"…Trump, tariff public relations campaign

During Supreme Court reciprocal tariff hearings

Emphasizing economic stimulus effects, etc.

As the U.S. Supreme Court began hearings on the legality of the Trump administration's tariff policy, President Donald Trump hinted at an economic stimulus plan through tariffs, saying "dividends of at least $2,000 will go to every citizen except high-income individuals."

On the 9th (local time) via social media, President Trump said, "We will earn trillions of dollars and soon begin to pay down the enormous $37 trillion (about 53.7 quadrillion won) national debt," adding, "At least $2,000 (about 2.9 million won) in dividends will be paid to every citizen except high-income individuals." He emphasized the economic effect of tariffs, saying, "If it weren't for tariffs, this would not have been possible at all." The remark came as the U.S. Supreme Court began hearing arguments on the legality of the reciprocal tariffs the Trump administration imposed worldwide on the 5th.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent said in an interview with ABC on the same day that he "had not discussed this idea with the president" regarding the "$2,000 dividend" mentioned by President Trump, but added that "it could be realized through various forms of tax cuts." He explained that "it could be a tax cut on the president's agenda," and that "it could include tax exemptions for tips, overtime pay, and Social Security, and income deductions for auto loan interest." According to Bloomberg News, there is analysis that the dividend payment mentioned by President Trump could be realized through tax-cut measures contained in the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' (OBBBA) passed in July this year. The remark was intended to convey that citizens would feel at least $2,000 in tax relief through tax benefits.

Reporter Im Da-yeon allopen@hankyung.com