As the new year sets in, the Trump administration is pushing forward with its controversial tariff policies, but appears to be backing off promises of a “tariff dividend” check.
There are currently tariffs in place across several industries globally, in addition to country-specific tariffs impacting 91 nations, according to law firm ReedSmith’s tariff tracker. The administration has also threatened tariffs on other countries and industries, while some have been delayed or exempted amid trade deals, per ReedSmith and the Library of Congress.
“Since the beginning of his second term on January 20, 2025, President Donald J. Trump has increased tariffs on U.S. imports from all global partners. To implement these tariffs, the President has cited authorities in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA, 50 U.S.C. §§1701 et seq.) and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (Section 232, 19 U.S.C. §1862, as amended). The Trump Administration has also initiated investigations under Section 232 which may result in additional sectoral tariffs. The Administration may also consider tariffs as a remedy for unfair trade practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301, 19 U.S.C. §§2411-20),” according to the Library of Congress.
Meanwhile, Americans will have to keep waiting to see if President Donald Trump follows through on proposed $2,000 stimulus checks, as Trump appeared to have forgotten about them in a recent interview, and he lacks the legal authority to implement them by himself.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s tariffs.
Are Americans going to get $2,000 tariff dividend check?
Despite Trump previously proposing $2,000 checks for Americans, they won’t be coming any time soon.
Trump has been pitching the idea of dividend rebates from tariff revenues since July, USA TODAY reported. During a Dec. 2 Cabinet meeting, the president again discussed the potential checks, saying, “Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever, and we’re going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs, as we have taken in literally trillions of dollars.”
In a Jan. 7 interview with the New York Times, Trump asked, “I did do that? When did I do that?” when reporter Katie Rogers asked about when Americans could expect the $2,000 tariff dividend checks he promised, according to the interview transcript.
As Rogers replied, “Well, I mean, your,” the president continued, “Yeah, I’m thinking. Well, I did $1,776 for the military,” he said, referencing “Warrior Dividends” sent to military personnel in December.
A Pentagon official confirmed that Defense Department funding covered the $2.6 billion price tag for the “Warrior Dividends” — not revenue from the president’s steep tariffs on imports.
Reporter Tyler Pager also asked Trump when Americans would get tariff checks. In response, Trump said, “Well, I am going to — the tariff money is so substantial. That’s coming in, that I’ll be able to do $2,000 sometime. I would say toward the end of the year.”
Trump would need Congress to take action on any stimulus or other payment to Americans.
Trump’s tariff dividend checks were to come mid-2026
While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Nov. 17, Trump said the tariff dividend checks would be issued “probably in the middle of next year,” amounting to “thousands of dollars for individuals of moderate income, middle income.”
On Nov. 10, Trump said the $2,000 payments would be made “to low and middle income USA Citizens,” in a post on Truth Social.
When talking to The New York Times, Trump was asked by reporter Zolan Kanno-Youngs, “Don’t you need Congress? Don’t you need Congress to help you with that?”
“No, I don’t believe we do,” Trump said. “We have it coming in from other sources.”
How many tariffs are currently in place?
The Trump administration currently has 91 specific tariffs in place, according to law firm ReedSmith. There are some tariffs in place against all countries the U.S. trades with. Other tariffs target specific products and merchandise, rather than nations.
An additional 46 tariffs have been threatened.
ReedSmith maintains a “tariff tracker” showing all U.S. tariffs and their status.
“According to President Trump, ‘Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary,” the law firm says. “Throughout his presidential campaign, Trump promised to use tariffs as a central part of his foreign policy strategy. His America First Trade Policy memorandum also directs the administration to review various tariff- and tariff-adjacent levers the United States could use to further its new trade policy. Reed Smith’s International Trade and National Security team tracks the latest threatened and implemented U.S. tariffs, as well as counter-tariffs from other countries around the world.”
What countries does the U.S. have tariffs against?
The U.S. has tariffs in place on the following countries, according to ReedSmith:
What industries are impacted by tariffs?
The following industries are impacted by tariffs, according to ReedSmith:
USA TODAY contributed.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How many tariffs are in place? See tariffs by Trump administration
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
