April 5, 2025 marked a significant milestone in U.S. trade policy under President Donald Trump, as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officially announced the amount of revenue collected from countervailing tariffs. However, the actual figures raised questions among experts and observers about previous claims made by the Trump administration.

The Reality: CBP Reports Over $500 Million from Countervailing Tariffs

According to the CBP, as of April 5, the agency had collected over $500 million from countervailing tariffs—just a fraction of the more than $21 billion in total tariff revenue from 15 trade measures implemented since January 20, 2025. This figure falls far short of Trump’s earlier claim that the U.S. was collecting up to $2 billion daily from tariffs.

CBP also noted that a 10-hour outage in the electronic tariff system temporarily disrupted the exemption process for certain special shipments. However, the average daily tariff inflow of $250 million remained unaffected.

Trump’s Claims vs. Treasury Department Data

President Trump and his advisors have consistently touted tariffs as a “stable revenue source” for the federal budget. He previously claimed the U.S. was generating $2 billion per day through tariffs. Yet, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, actual daily tariff revenue averages only $305 million—just about 15% of Trump’s stated figure.

This raises the question: Have the economic benefits of tariffs—particularly countervailing tariffs—been overstated?

New Tariff Policies and Their Reach

During this term, President Trump has introduced a series of new countervailing tariff measures:

• A 145% tariff on imports from China.
• Tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on goods from over 180 countries and territories.
• A 25% tariff on imported steel, aluminum, cars, and auto parts.
• Temporary tariff exemptions for tech products and goods meeting USMCA (U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement) standards.

These measures not only affect foreign businesses but also pose major challenges for U.S. importers and domestic enterprises.

Revenue Projections from Tariffs: Ambitious or Unrealistic?

White House Senior Advisor Peter Navarro previously asserted that tariff policies could generate up to $6 trillion over 10 years—or $600 billion annually. Including auto tariffs, this figure could rise to $700 billion per year.

However, CNN analysis suggests this would mark one of the largest tax hikes in U.S. history—three times the increase seen in 1942 during World War II. Although the Trump administration insists these are not taxes on American citizens, many economists argue:

Ultimately, U.S. consumers bear the cost.

Reactions from Experts and the Senate

Senator Mark Warner stated on Fox News:
“That money doesn’t come from thin air. It comes from rising prices. This is an indirect tax on American consumers.”

He estimates that Americans are absorbing an additional $700 billion per year due to tariffs, which could slow economic growth, hinder domestic consumption, and burden production.

Impact on Global Supply Chains and Trade

Countervailing tariffs extend beyond domestic economic policy—they significantly disrupt global supply chains. Exporters in Asia, Europe, and South America—including Vietnam—are being forced to rethink their U.S. market strategies. Higher prices have reduced the competitiveness of goods, triggering a steep decline in U.S. import demand.

What lies ahead for Vietnamese exporters?

• Price Stability Challenges: Key export sectors like agriculture, seafood, timber, and textiles are facing rising input and logistics costs.
• Policy Volatility Risks: Frequent changes in U.S. tariff rates or exemptions may leave businesses unprepared.
• Smarter Market Entry Strategies Needed: Rather than competing solely on price, Vietnamese businesses should prioritize quality, international certifications, and long-term relationships with importers.