The U.S. government collected a combined $62.6 billion in tariff revenue over August and September, according to new data reported by Fox Business. The two months marked back-to-back historic highs under President Donald Trump’s trade agenda.
September brought in $31.3 billion. That total was just $73 million shy of August’s record. The strong collections pushed total tariff revenue for 2025 to $214.9 billion so far. Revenue has surged steadily over the past several months. It rose from $17.4 billion in April to $23.9 billion in May, then climbed to $28 billion in June and $29 billion in July.
Tariffs are paid directly by U.S. companies on imported goods. The added costs are often passed on to consumers through higher prices. The administration has repeatedly argued that the short-term effects are outweighed by long-term gains. Officials say the strategy will boost domestic manufacturing and create new American jobs.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the trade measures have only been in place for a short time. He noted that they will take longer to deliver their full economic benefits. “We’re seeing early progress,” he said earlier this month. He added that the strategy will ultimately make U.S. industries more competitive globally.
The surge in tariff revenue comes as Trump’s trade policy faces a major legal test. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in early November on whether the president had the authority to impose sweeping import duties under emergency powers.
A federal appeals court ruled on Aug. 29 that Trump had overstepped his authority. Judges said that such powers belong to Congress or must fit within existing trade law. The tariffs will remain in place until mid-October as the legal fight continues.
The White House remains confident the policy will withstand scrutiny. “We look forward to ultimate victory on this matter with the Supreme Court,” spokesperson Kush Desai said in a statement.
Despite the legal challenges, the revenue surge shows how central tariffs have become to Trump’s broader economic agenda. They continue to provide a significant boost to federal income as the administration pushes to bring more industry back to the United States.