Former President Trump has proudly touted tariffs as a massive win, recently saying, “We are collecting $2 billion a day from tariffs.” That sounds impressive — but let’s break it down:
Tariffs = Taxes on Imports
It’s not foreign countries footing the bill. It’s U.S. importers — often American companies — who pay, and those costs typically get passed along to consumers.
$2 Billion a Day?
That would total over $730 billion a year. For comparison, during the height of the U.S.-China trade war, tariff revenue was closer to $70–$80 billion annually.
So What’s the Deal?
This figure might be exaggerated, reflect a short-term spike, or possibly mix in unrelated numbers (like retaliatory tariffs or projections). Either way, it’s worth asking where the math is really coming from.
Bottom line: Tariffs can bring in revenue — but they’re not free money from other countries. The burden often falls on American businesses and consumers.
