Key Takeaways:
- Record Revenue, Real Results: Trump’s tariffs brought in $62.6 billion in August and September alone, with total revenue for fiscal 2025 hitting $215.2 billion — proof his trade strategy is paying off.
- Fair Trade, Not Free Rides: In a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump made it clear that America will no longer tolerate one-sided trade deals or foreign nations exploiting U.S. markets.
- America Leads Again: Despite Supreme Court scrutiny, the Trump administration remains confident in its legal authority to use tariffs as leverage to protect U.S. industry, rebuild manufacturing, and put American workers first.
President Donald Trump isn’t backing down on tariffs, and he’s not apologizing either. In classic Trump fashion, the president defended his trade policy Tuesday, telling reporters that the United States has spent decades being “the king of being screwed by tariffs,” and that era is now officially over.
“We’re the king of being screwed by tariffs,” Trump said during a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office. “I’m not talking about with Canada, I’m talking about with countries all over the world. They took advantage of our country. They’re not taking advantage of us anymore.”
Trump’s remarks come after two straight months of record-breaking tariff revenues. In August and September alone, duties brought in a combined $62.6 billion, pushing total revenue for fiscal year 2025 to a historic $215.2 billion, according to Treasury Department data. The trend reflects Trump’s ongoing strategy to use tariffs not as a punishment, but as leverage — a tool to demand fair trade and rebuild American industry.
The U.S.–Canada relationship was front and center during the Oval Office meeting. Trump said he wants “the right deal” for both nations but made clear that fairness must come first. “We want Canada to do great,” he said. “But there’s a point where we want the same business — that’s the problem.”
Carney, for his part, noted that Canadian investment in the U.S. could top $1 trillion within five years, underscoring just how strong cross-border ties remain. The two leaders agreed to continue discussions, with Trump hinting at “some deals” in the works.
Even as the Supreme Court reviews his sweeping trade agenda, the president remains undeterred. The White House says tariffs are a “legitimate use of presidential powers to protect the economy,” and the results speak for themselves — higher revenues, fairer deals, and a stronger America.
In true Trump fashion, he closed the meeting with a grin. When asked why a deal hadn’t been finalized yet, he quipped, “Because I want to be a great man too.”
Love him or not, there’s no denying one fact: Trump is rewriting the rules of global trade — and this time, America’s the one in charge.