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The United States collected over $87 billion in tariff revenue in the first six months of 2025, surpassing the $79 billion collected during all of 2024, according to newly released U.S. Treasury data compiled by AFP.
The sharp increase in tariff income reflects the aggressive trade policy shift under President Donald Trump, who, since returning to office, has dismantled decades of post-WWII free trade strategy. His administration has imposed wide-ranging tariffs on key trading partners and strategic imports such as steel.
Tariff income peaked at $26.6 billion in June alone, nearly four times the amount collected in January. The previous annual record was $98 billion in 2022, a level that could now be exceeded if the current trend continues.
In recent months, the U.S. has reached a series of trade agreements with several countries. These new deals introduce significantly higher tariffs than those previously in place, though in most cases, they remain lower than the maximum rates Trump had threatened to impose.
Beginning August 1, tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% will apply to imports from approximately 80 countries, including all 27 European Union member states. A notable component of the new measures includes a 50% tariff on copper imports.
President Trump, speaking Thursday, defended his sweeping tariff strategy, claiming it has revitalized the U.S. economy.
“ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE ‘HOTTEST’ COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that the tariffs are making the country “great & rich again.”
Governments around the world have rushed to finalize deals with Washington ahead of the August 1 deadline in an attempt to avoid the harshest penalties.
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