Tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump produced $31.4 billion in revenue in August, setting a new monthly record for 2025.
According to Treasury Department data, total tariff revenue collected so far this year has surpassed $183.6 billion, Fox Business reported on Sept. 7.
The August intake represents a significant increase compared with earlier months: $17.4 billion in April, $23.9 billion in May, $28 billion in June, and $29 billion in July.
Fox Business noted that, at the current trajectory, the United States could collect more in tariff revenue within just a few months than the total amount received throughout last year.
News of the record-setting tariff revenue comes in the wake of a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruling that President Trump exceeded his authority by introducing “reciprocal tariffs” earlier this year.
The ruling, issued on Aug. 29, is set to take effect after Oct. 14, giving the Trump administration time to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, according to CNBC.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview that if the Supreme Court rules against the tariffs, the Treasury Department would be required to issue refunds. “That would mean giving back about half of the tariffs collected, which would be terrible for the Treasury,” he explained.
Bessent further cautioned that because the Supreme Court may not rule until June 2026, the delay could create a scenario where $750 billion to $1 trillion in tariffs have already been collected. Unwinding them, he warned, could cause significant economic disruption.
Following the court’s decision, the White House issued a statement defending the legality of Trump’s actions, according to CNN. “President Trump lawfully exercised the tariff powers granted to him by Congress to defend our national and economic security from foreign threats,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said.
“The President’s tariffs remain in effect, and we look forward to ultimate victory on this matter,” Desai added.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also voiced her support for the tariffs on social media shortly after the ruling was announced.
“President Trump identified a national emergency and acted within the law by imposing tariffs,” Bondi wrote.
She continued, “The judges of the Federal Circuit are interfering with the President’s vital and constitutionally central role in directing foreign policy.”
Calling the ruling “wrong and damaging to the United States on the world stage,” Bondi vowed that the Justice Department “will appeal this decision and continue working to restore the President’s lawful authority.”
