Trump's Tariffs Generate Billions but Offer Little Relief to Americans

Despite a record increase in tariff revenue, the funds are not being used to mitigate the government shutdown, which is caused by political deadlock. The tariffs generate billions, but this money is frozen in the Treasury's general fund and cannot be allocated to pay furloughed workers unless Congress passes specific legislation. Democrats criticize the tariffs for raising prices and argue they are insufficient to fund essential government services, while the White House blames the shutdown on Democrats.