Core Viewpoint - President Trump's informal proposal to distribute tariff revenue as stimulus checks to American taxpayers may provide short-term benefits but could lead to significant long-term economic issues [1][18] Group 1: Tariff Stimulus Proposal - President Trump has proposed a "tariff dividend" of at least $2,000 per person to American taxpayers, aiming to stimulate economic activity and support a weaker job market [8][5] - The proposal has generated excitement among taxpayers and social media users, reminiscent of fiscal stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic [4][8] Group 2: Economic Implications - The total customs duties revenue for the U.S. government in fiscal year 2025 was approximately $195 billion, with projections suggesting annual tariff revenue could reach around $200 billion over the next decade [11] - Concerns arise regarding whether sufficient tariff revenue exists to support the proposed stimulus payments, which could exceed the annual revenue collected [10][11] Group 3: Inflation and Economic Stability - There is a risk that tariff stimulus checks could reignite inflation, which had previously surged to a four-decade high of 9.1% in October 2022 due to rapid increases in the money supply during the pandemic [12][13] - A study indicated that fiscal stimulus during the pandemic contributed to an increase in inflation by approximately 2.6 percentage points, suggesting similar inflationary pressures could arise from the proposed tariff checks [13] Group 4: Long-term Economic Risks - The short-term boost to economic activity and employment from the stimulus checks may lead to a problematic economic snap-back after the funds are spent [14] - The potential for stagflation, characterized by rising inflation and unemployment alongside stagnant economic growth, poses a significant challenge for economic policy [16] - The proposal does not adequately address the growing national debt, raising concerns about the sustainability of using tariff revenue for stimulus payouts [17]