Mohan Sinha
05 Jan 2026, 02:00 GMT+10
WASHINGTON, D.C: President Donald Trump made a lot of tariff threats and trade promises. Many materialized into new import taxes that overturned decades of U.S. economic policy — but others remain unfulfilled as 2025 drew to a close.
Here's what Trump said when announcing some of his biggest (but still unrealized) tariff threats and promises this year, and where things stand today.
External Revenue Service
Trump, in a January 14 social media post, said, "For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ... We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share. January 20, 2025, will be the birth date of the External Revenue Service."
What happened: The External Revenue Service has yet to be established as of the end of December.
200% Tariff on European Wine, Champagne, and Spirits
Trump said on March 13 in a social media post that if the EU, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the U.S., did not remove the 50 percent tariff on whiskey, the US would impose a 200 percent tariff on all wines, champagnes, and alcoholic products exported from France and other E.U. countries.
What happened: The EU's planned levy on American whiskey was postponed, with the latest delay reportedly running until at least February. Trump's 200 percent tariff threat on European alcohol never materialized. But spirits were not included in the EU-U.S. trade deal struck over the summer, which set a 15 percent rate on most European imports.
100% Tariff on Foreign-made Films
In a May 4 social media post, Trump said the U.S. movie industry was dying and that he was authorizing the Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100 percent tariff on movies entering the U.S. He repeated the threat on September 29.
What happened: Despite Trump's repeated threats, the U.S. has yet to impose a 100 percent tariff on foreign films. The White House said no final decision had been made. Also still unclear is how the U.S. would tax a movie made overseas.
Tariffs on Pharmaceutical Drugs
In a Cabinet meeting on July 8, Trump said he would announce something related to pharmaceuticals very soon. He added they would allow people about a year, a year and a half, to come in. After that, they would be subject to a 200 percent tariff.
On September 25, in a social media post, he said that starting October 1, 2025, the US would impose a 100 percent tariff on any branded or patented pharmaceutical product, unless it is manufactured in the US.
What happened: The president did not sign an executive order imposing a 100 percent tariff on pharmaceutical products on October 1, and as of today, no levy has been implemented.
100% Tariff on Computer Chips
On August 6, Trump announced an approximately 100 percent tariff on chips and semiconductors if they were built outside the U.S. Otherwise, there was no charge."
What happened: A sweeping 100 percent on computer chips has yet to go into effect. When announcing his plans to impose the levy back in August, Trump was not specific about the timing. And other details have remained scarce.
$2,000 Tariff Dividend
In a social media post on November 9, Trump announced that every American (excluding high-net-worth individuals) would receive a dividend of at least US$2000.
What happened: Details on this are still scarce. Budget experts believe the math doesn't add up. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that it might not mean government checks, but the rebate might come in the form of tax cuts. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett also told CBS News that it's up to Congress.
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