Trump’s $2,000 Tariff ‘Dividend’ Marks Throwback to Covid Checks

President Donald Trump’s idea of mailing $2,000 “dividend” payments from tariffs to US citizens marks a throwback to the stimulus checks distributed during the Covid crisis, with similar economic risks.

After floating the idea of tariff dividend payouts for months, Trump on Sunday offered the specific amount of “at least $2,000 a person.” He said the recipients wouldn’t include high-income individuals, without specifying a threshold.

While the president has repeatedly touted the billions raised in tariff revenue this year, such a plan — which would likely require congressional approval — could cost the US government double what it’s projected ...