Greetings!,

Do you see tariffs as a benefit or a curse? I know the answer to this may depend on your job or which ide of the political isle you associate with. However, the reality is that tariffs do have a cost, and this cost like other corporate expenses, do most often get passed on to consumers.

The recent Supreme Court discission does not effect all U.S. tariffs, but more specifically what was known as the Liberation Day" tariffs. Tariffs are also not something new. According to taxproject.org, tariffs were first used in the United States with the Tariff Act of 1789, implemented by the first Congress to generate revenue for the new federal government.

For me, the bigger question will be what will happen to the money collected to this point from these tariffs. According to the Tax Foundation, it is expected that $160 Billion will be collected as of February 20, 2026. Are the funds returned to the impacted companies that in most cases past the costs on to consumers? Should they be distributed to the public since we in essence paid the tariff? Does the government keep this as revenue collected?

While these issues may take years to resolve, the economists at First Trust Portfolios have created an article that takes a deeper dive on this from many sides. If you any interest in this matter I recommend you take a few moments and read through this piece.

Higher Tariffs Not Dead



As always, thanks for reading.



Bernie & Chad