WASHINGTON: The White House said on Sunday that the United States (US) Treasury has collected US$235 billion in tariffs since the start of the year, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.
The White House made the claim in a Christmas live stream on its official YouTube channel featuring a list of “2025 MAGA VICTORIES” on loop with lo-fi music playing in the background.
Other text blocks running on the left side of a split screen highlight other supposed successes of US President Donald Trump’s administration, such as in migration policy and the fight against the fentanyl crisis.
A cartoon version of Trump reading a book by a Christmas tree sits on the right side of the split screen.
The amount of customs revenue reported in the live stream is slightly higher than the sum previously cited by the Trump administration.
Last week, US Customs and Border Protection reported customs revenue of just over US$200 billion collected between Trump’s inauguration on January 20 and December 15.
Nevertheless, the total fell short of expectations. In July, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had even envisioned US$300 billion by the end of the year.
The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of Trump’s tariffs.
Specifically, it is examining whether Trump could unilaterally impose tariffs under a 1977 emergency law without congressional approval. Lower courts have blocked the policy following complaints from several US companies and states.
After taking office, Trump invoked the law to impose tariffs on goods from multiple countries, citing concerns over drugs such as fentanyl, illegal migration, and trade deficits.
It is unclear when the Supreme Court will issue its decision. If it rules against Trump, it could call into question existing trade agreements.- BERNAMA-dpa
