Remko Waal / EPA
The “billions of dollars raised from customs tariffs” imposed by Donald Trump on most countries will be “distributed among the people”, says the president.
The President of the USA, Donald Trump, announced this Sunday that North Americans will be paid a “customs dividend” of $2,000. In a post on the social network Truth Social, Trump stated that the payments will cover all citizens, except those with “high incomes”.
The president he even called them “fools” to the tariff critics and guaranteed that the United States is “ raise billions of dollarsand soon we will begin to reduce our HUGE DEBT of 37 billion.”
The Supreme Court is analyzing the legality of broad tariffs imposed by Trump, justified under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Courts of first instance had already considered that many of these fees were illegal.
He recalls that the president had already advanced in October, in an interview with One America News Network, the possibility of making a “distribution to the people” $1,000 to $2,000, based on revenue from tariffs, which he predicted could generate more than one billion dollars a year.
In a statement published in September, the Treasury Department revealed that it had collected 195 billion dollars in customs duties in fiscal year 2025.
For consumers, the prospect of an extra payment could be particularly well-receivedat a time when the cost of living continues to rise and the Government remains partially closed.
However, Any such scheme would likely need approval of Congress. Trump has previously indicated that he would prefer to channel customs revenue to reduce public debt.
During ABC’s “This Week” broadcast on Sunday morning, Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessanthe told the political commentator and presenter George Stephanopoulos that the administration’s objective with tariffs is “restore trade balance”, and not generate revenue.
Trump’s announcement is the most recent episode of a long political battle over the cost of living. The former president built part of his electoral campaign on this issue, repeatedly criticizing former President Joe Biden by inflation and promising to “immediately reduce prices” if he returns to the White House.
Democrats, however, have resorted to the same strategy. This week, several Democratic candidates, including Zohran Mamdaniin the elections in New York, New Jersey and Virginia, after campaigns focused on difficulties with the cost of living.
Mamad, it newly elected mayor of New Yorkwhom Trump called “”, promised freeze rentsmake daycare centers and free buses and create municipal supermarkets.
“Donald Trump, as I know you’re watching, I have three words for you: Turn up the volume,” declared Mamdani in his victory speech.
