Trump’s Tariffs Begin to Show Impact as US Customs Revenue Surges

The tariff policies enacted under President Donald Trump are beginning to show tangible effects on the US economy. In April, the US government collected over $17.4 billion in customs duties—equivalent to IDR 282.4 trillion (using an exchange rate of IDR 16,232 per USD)—almost doubling the $9.6 billion collected in March.

This marks a major jump compared to Trump’s first term. Since January 1, total tariff revenue has surpassed $70 billion, directly contributing to government coffers. “Billions are flowing in from tariffs... and we’re just in the Transition Phase—only getting started!!” Trump declared on Truth Social on Friday.

Trump’s statement may be more than just a bold claim. The April data could be just the beginning of much more significant effects. The largest round of tariffs—10% duties on imports from nearly all countries—came into effect on April 5, with more rounds of tariffs expected in the coming months.

Still, this aggressive trade stance comes with challenges. There are early indications of declining shipment volumes due to these tariffs. For instance, the Port of Los Angeles is projected to see cargo volume drop by over a third starting next week. Nevertheless, large tariff inflows could continue, especially after Trump granted a 90-day relief period to major importers, including automakers and tech companies.

Furthermore, Trump postponed additional reciprocal tariffs on over 100 countries until summer while negotiations are ongoing. He also plans to introduce new industry-specific tariffs in the near future—targeting sectors such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals.

Although the reported customs revenue is substantial, it may be somewhat overstated. This is because the Treasury Department reports customs and excise tax collections from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a single category. Excise taxes are different from customs duties, and more precise data is expected in the coming months. Historically, the portion of excise tax collected by DHS has been relatively minor.