Donald Trump has proposed sending $2,000 checks to Americans, but many are wondering who would qualify for them. The plan would use money collected from tariffs the United States has placed on foreign countries, and the goal is to provide direct financial relief to families. Any payments, though, would still need approval from Congress.
The tariffs, which started in April 2025, have already brought in more than $214 billion this year. The Treasury Department said the program was designed to increase revenue through higher fees on imports, especially from countries with trade imbalances. Trump, who is 79, said that once the system is fully active, it could bring in over a trillion dollars each year.