By Professor Andrew Azarov, Business and Economics, International Business academy Consortium (UK)
The recent escalation of US tariffs on Chinese goods has done more than just increase prices—it has fundamentally shifted how financial flows move between corporations, the federal government, and international suppliers. While Washington now collects billions in tariff revenue directly from importers, this policy has also reshaped the profitability of US companies, the cost burden for consumers, and the long-term structure of global trade.
The Old Model: How US Firms Benefited Before Tariffs
Before the recent wave of tariffs, American companies enjoyed a relatively predictable flow of trade and taxation:
- US companies imported goods from China and resold them domestically.
- Profits stayed in the private sector, taxed later through corporate income tax.
- Consumers benefited from low-cost imports.
- The government collected revenue primarily through conventional taxation rather than trade barriers.
This system allowed for stable margins for US companies, which, in turn, contributed to federal revenue via traditional tax mechanisms.