At a Glance
- Trump’s 200% wine tariff threat never materialized.
- No 100% tariff on foreign films has been imposed.
- The proposed External Revenue Service remains unestablished as of Dec 2025.
- Why it matters: These unfulfilled promises highlight the gap between Trump’s trade rhetoric and policy outcomes, affecting U.S. consumers, businesses, and global trade relations.
Trump’s 2025 tariff promises spanned from a proposed $2000 dividend to a 200% wine tax. While some measures were announced, none have taken effect by year’s end.
External Revenue Service
Trump announced on Jan 14 and in his Jan 20 inaugural address that the External Revenue Service would collect all tariffs and bring “massive amounts of money” to the Treasury. As of Dec 2025, the service has not been established.
President Trump announced:
> “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.”
President Trump said:
> “We are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our Treasury, coming from foreign sources.”
- Status: Service not yet created.
200% Wine, Champagne, Spirits
On Mar 13, Trump warned that a 200% tariff would be imposed on EU wine and spirits if a 50% whisky tariff remained. The EU’s levy was postponed until at least February, and the 200% threat never materialized.
President Trump warned:
> “The European Union … has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky. If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES.”
- Status: No 200% tariff enacted.
100% Tariff on Foreign Films
Trump threatened a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced movies in May and again in September. The White House has not imposed such a tariff.
President Trump said:
> “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death … I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.”
President Trump reiterated:
> “Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby’ … I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”
- Status: Tariff not imposed.
Pharmaceutical Tariffs
In July and September, Trump floated high tariffs on pharmaceuticals, including a 200% rate and a 100% tariff from Oct 1, 2025 unless a plant is built in the U.S. No executive order has been signed.
President Trump said in a cabinet meeting:
> “We’ll be announcing something very soon on pharmaceuticals. We’re going to give people about a year, a year and a half, to come in. And after that, they’re going to be tariffed … They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 percent.”
President Trump warned:
> “Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America.”
- Status: No tariff enacted; executive order pending.
100% Chip Tariff
Trump announced a 100% tariff on chips and semiconductors in August, exempting U.S.-built chips. The levy has not been implemented.
President Trump said:
> “We’ll be putting a tariff of approximately 100% on chips and semiconductors … But if you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge.”
- Status: Tariff not enacted.
$2,000 Tariff Dividend
On Nov 9, Trump promised a $2000 dividend per person, excluding high-income earners. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested it might be tax cuts, and Congress would decide.
President Trump announced:
> “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! … A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.”
- Status: No concrete plan; details unclear.
| Threat | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| External Revenue Service | Jan 14 & 20 | Not established |
| 200% Wine Tariff | Mar 13 | Not implemented; EU levy postponed |
| 100% Film Tariff | May 4 & Sep 29 | Not imposed |
| 200% Pharma Tariff | Jul 8 | Not enacted |
| 100% Pharma Tariff | Sep 25 | Not enacted |
| 100% Chip Tariff | Aug 6 | Not enacted |
| $2000 Dividend | Nov 9 | No details; possible tax cuts |
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s major tariff promises remain unfulfilled as of Dec 2025.
- The External Revenue Service and most high-tariff threats have not materialized.
- The promised $2000 dividend lacks a clear implementation plan.
The gap between rhetoric and action underscores the uncertainty for U.S. consumers, businesses, and global trade partners.
