WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced a significant economic proposal on Sunday, pledging that most Americans would receive a "dividend" of at least $2,000, which he stated would be financed by massive revenues from international tariffs.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr. Trump outlined a plan where the U.S. would utilize what he described as "trillions of dollars" in tariff collections for two primary purposes: a direct reward to the populace and an aggressive reduction of the national debt.
"We are taking in Trillions of Dollars, and will soon be starting to pay off our massive $37 Trillion Debt," the former president wrote. He specified the direct payment plan: "Everyone (other than the high-income earners) will be receiving a Dividend of at least $2,000."
A Defense of "America First" Economics
The proposal is rooted in Mr. Trump's signature "America First" trade policy. He has long contended that tariffs on foreign goods bolster domestic manufacturing and serve as a powerful revenue stream for the U.S. Treasury.
In his message, Mr. Trump defended his strategy against its detractors, labeling those who criticize tariffs as "fools."
He linked his trade policies directly to the nation's economic health, citing the stock market and the value of 401(k) retirement funds as proof of his success. He declared that the United States is now the "richest and most respected nation in the world," attributing this status to his economic agenda.
This is not the first time Mr. Trump has floated the idea of direct payments from tariffs. During an interview with OANN in October, he discussed a similar concept, suggesting a potential distribution of "$1,000 or $2,000" to citizens. He projected at the time that his tariff policies could bring in over $1 trillion annually.
Legal and Economic Context
The announcement arrives as the funding mechanism for such a proposal faces high-stakes legal scrutiny.
The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legality of the broad-scale tariffs Mr. Trump previously implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This review comes after a lower court ruled that some of the tariffs imposed during his administration were "unlawful."
The viability of the $2,000 dividend plan hinges on the U.S. government's legal authority to continue levying and collecting these tariffs on such a massive scale. Mr. Trump's proposal frames the tariffs not just as a tool of trade policy but as a direct source of funding for national debt reduction and citizen prosperity.
Thế Anh
CaliToday.Net