Between January 20 and December 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection collected more than $200 billion in tariff revenue. That’s money flowing into federal coffers because of aggressive enforcement of Trump’s tariff policies.
But here’s the question Texans are asking: what does this actually mean for me? Am I paying more at the store? Is my job affected? How does $200 billion in tariffs impact Texas?
The answer is complicated. And it matters.
What Actually Happened
CBP deployed over 40 executive orders putting tariffs on imports. Then they used data analytics, intelligence gathering, and investigation to catch importers trying to dodge those tariffs.
They found companies undervaluing goods to avoid tariffs. They found importers misclassifying products to pay lower duties. They found “double dipping”—companies claiming multiple tariff exemptions to avoid paying what they owed.
In just 11 months, CBP caught $2.6 billion in antidumping and countervailing duty violations alone. They debarred 63 companies for refusing to pay tariffs and taxes. They investigated nearly 1,200 allegations of tariff evasion from honest businesses reporting cheaters.
That $200 billion represents real money being collected from importers bringing goods into America.
The Texas Connection
Texas is the gateway for trade. Port of Houston is one of America’s busiest ports. El Paso and Laredo handle massive cross-border commerce with Mexico. Dallas-Fort Worth is a major distribution hub for imports entering the country.
When CBP collects tariffs, a significant portion comes through Texas ports and checkpoints. Texas is literally where these tariffs are being enforced and collected.
Who’s Actually Paying These Tariffs?
Here’s where it gets real: importers are paying the tariffs. But they’re not absorbing the cost themselves. They pass it down the supply chain.
When a company imports goods and has to pay 25% tariffs, they raise the wholesale price. Wholesalers raise prices to retailers. Retailers raise prices on shelves.
So yes—some of what you’re paying for imported goods includes tariffs. Clothes, electronics, furniture, toys, appliances—if it’s imported, there’s likely a tariff component in the price.
But how much? That depends on what you’re buying. Some products have higher tariffs than others. Some companies absorb costs to stay competitive. Others pass the full tariff to consumers.
The Texas Manufacturing Angle
Here’s the flip side: tariffs protect Texas manufacturers. If you make something in Texas and compete with cheap imported goods, tariffs level the playing field.
Texas has significant manufacturing in:
- Steel and aluminum (protected by tariffs)
- Petrochemicals (competing with foreign imports)
- Agriculture (protected by reciprocal tariffs)
- Industrial equipment
For these industries, tariffs mean less competition from cheaper imports. It can protect jobs and allow Texas manufacturers to raise prices or maintain profit margins.
The Jobs Question
$200 billion in tariff revenue is supposed to fund government. But the theory behind tariffs is different: they’re supposed to protect American jobs by making imports more expensive, encouraging people to buy American-made products instead.
For Texas manufacturers, that could mean:
- More orders from customers avoiding imported goods
- Ability to hire more workers
- Higher prices but protected market share
For Texas retailers and consumers, that means:
- Higher prices on imported goods
- Potentially lower selection (if some imports become too expensive to import)
- Maybe more local alternatives (as manufacturers ramp up to fill the gap)
The Agricultural Impact
Texas agriculture is significant. Tariffs affect what farmers can sell internationally and what they pay for inputs.
Mexico and other countries have retaliated against American tariffs by putting tariffs on Texas agricultural products. That hurts Texas farmers selling internationally.
But the administration promised that tariff revenue would support farmers—which happened in December with the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. So Texas farmers are getting some of that tariff revenue back as direct payments.
What $200 Billion Actually Means
$200 billion is enormous. For context:
- It’s roughly equal to the entire GDP of Wyoming
- It’s more than the federal government collects in excise taxes annually
- It’s enough to fund federal highway programs for multiple years
This money is going into federal coffers. The administration says it will use tariff revenue to reduce the national debt, fund infrastructure, or support American workers and farmers.
For Texans, the question is: will any of this benefit reach Texas? Will tariff revenue fund Texas infrastructure? Will it go to federal programs Texans benefit from?
The administration’s position is that tariff revenue protects American jobs and reduces the trade deficit. Whether it actually does that depends on how much of it gets absorbed by consumers in higher prices versus how much actually protects American manufacturing.
The Real Impact on Your Wallet
If you buy imported goods—which is almost everything—some of what you’re paying includes tariffs. A $100 imported item with a 25% tariff now costs the importer $125. How much of that $25 gets passed to you depends on the industry and the company.
Some estimates suggest tariffs add 5-10% to the price of consumer goods. Others say it’s higher. The real number depends on:
- What you’re buying
- Where it comes from
- How much tariff is applied
- Whether the company absorbs costs or passes them on
For Texans in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio—cities with significant import activity—the tariff impact is probably more noticeable than in less trade-heavy areas.
The Border Security Angle
CBP is also enforcing tariffs as a border security measure. They’re catching tariff evasion schemes, which means:
- Fewer illegal goods entering the country
- Better tracking of what’s being imported
- More information about who’s importing what
For border communities like El Paso, McAllen, and Laredo, this means increased CBP activity and enforcement at ports of entry.
The Bottom Line
$200 billion in tariffs is real money. It’s being collected from importers. Some of it gets passed to consumers in higher prices. Some protects American manufacturers and jobs. Some goes to the federal government.
For Texans specifically, tariffs probably mean:
- Slightly higher prices on imported goods
- Some protection for Texas manufacturers
- Potential agricultural support through tariff revenue
- Increased CBP enforcement activity at Texas ports
Whether you think that’s a good deal depends on whether you believe tariffs protect American jobs and reduce the trade deficit, or whether you think they mainly raise consumer prices.
What’s clear: $200 billion in tariff revenue is being collected. It’s real money. And it’s affecting real prices that Texans pay.
Key Takeaways:
What Was Collected:
- $200 billion in tariff revenue (Jan. 20 – Dec. 15, 2025)
- $2.6 billion in antidumping/countervailing duties
- 63 companies debarred for non-payment
- Nearly 1,200 tariff evasion allegations investigated
What It Means for Texans:
- Likely 5-10% higher prices on imported goods
- Potential protection for Texas manufacturers
- Agricultural support through tariff revenue programs
- Increased CBP enforcement at Texas ports
Where the Money Goes:
- Federal government (for debt reduction, infrastructure, or programs)
- Some returned to farmers through assistance programs
- Economic protection for American manufacturers
