(Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
As a consequence of increased taxes imposed by President Donald Trump, the United States has collected more than $200 billion in tariffs in 2025, according to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office, which disclosed this information on Monday. On the other hand, the constitutionality of these newly implemented tariffs is presently being examined by the Supreme Court of the United States, which is considering allegations that the charges violate the Constitution.
Specifically, the additional tariffs that were implemented this year are the only source of the $200 billion amount. There is a distinction between these tariffs and those that were imposed during the first term of President Trump, which are not now being challenged in court. The new tariffs, on the other hand, have caused controversy since they were unilaterally imposed without going through the approval process of Congress.
Since the beginning of the year, President Trump has implemented what he refers to as reciprocal tariffs on imports from the majority of countries in the world. Additionally, in reaction to what is believed to be the inability of nations such as Canada, China, and Mexico to reduce the amount of fentanyl that is imported into the United States, he slapped what are known as “fentanyl tariffs” on items that come from those countries.
According to a statement released by the Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP), “Between January 20 and December 15, 2025, the United States Customs and Border Protection collected more than $200 billion in tariffs thanks to more than 40 executive orders put in place by the administration of President Donald Trump.”
In addition, the agency said that “this figure demonstrates the effectiveness of the Customs and Border Protection in promoting secure, fair, and compliant trade, thereby strengthening the national and economic security of their country.” Despite the large income that was collected, the amount of tariffs collected in November decreased. Since Trump originally launched his significant tariffs in April, this was the first dip that there has been since then.
The quantity of tariffs collected by the government in November was $30.75 billion, which is a marginal decrease from the amount collected in October, which was $31.15 billion. In addition to Trump’s decision to reduce some of the levies, experts believe that the drop may be attributed to a slowdown in the amount of freight shipments bound for the United States.
Rodney Scott, the Commissioner of the Customs and Border Protection, stated in a statement that “CBP’s enforcement delivers results.” “We are safeguarding the economy of the United States, protecting American industries, and holding accountable those who seek to break our trade laws by combining intelligence-led targeting, rigorous oversight, and swift action,” the statement reads.
Even though the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is in favor of the tariffs’ ability to stimulate the economy of the United States, the legal environment that surrounds them has grown more murky. The decision that President Trump did not have the jurisdiction to apply these tariffs without first receiving consent from Congress was handed down by the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in August.
The Supreme Court concluded that the ability to levy taxes, such as tariffs, is “exclusively vested in the legislative branch by the Constitution at this time.” In its decision, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals said that the Constitution gives the legislative branch the only authority to levy taxes, including tariffs, and that this authority is vested in the legislative branch.
“Tariffs are an essential power that Congress possesses.” Given that the issue is now being heard by the Supreme Court of the United States, a decision might have substantial repercussions. Companies that have already paid the levies may be eligible for refunds depending on whether or not the Supreme Court decides that the additional tariffs imposed by Trump are unlawful.
It is worth noting that the retail behemoth Costco is one of the most renowned corporations that is opposing the tariffs. At the end of November, Costco became one of many businesses that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to get a complete refund for the tariffs that they had already paid for in 2025. A third request that the corporations are making to the court is to prevent any further collection of the duties while the legal matter is being heard.
The court’s struggle against Trump’s tariffs may result in substantial changes to the trade policy of the United States. During the time that the Supreme Court is deliberating, the decision of the case might potentially change the future of tariff enforcement, which would have an effect on both businesses and customers. While the legal fight is still ongoing, the stakes continue to be high since more than two hundred billion dollars have already been collected.
