U. S. Trending topic average effective tariff rate and customs revenue
What this chart shows:
The chart on the left shows the average U. S. effective tariff rate from 1790 through today, while the chart on the right shows trailing revenue from customs duties to the U. S. Treasury.
Why it matters:
Tariffs were a primary source of revenue early in the United States' history, but beginning in the mid- $130 1930s, a shift toward globalization and a regime of open markets brought with it lower tariffs that $110 persisted for decades
The 2025 tariff increases have pushed the average effective rate to its highest level since 1935. With it though, customs revenue to the U. S. Treasury has surged.
This represents a fundamental shift in U. S. trade policy after decades of lower tariff rates. The revenue surge demonstrates how tariffs have become a significant source of government income again. However, the ultimate economic implications on consumer prices, business costs, and international trade relationships, are still unfolding across supply chains and global markets.