Tariff revenue goes to the US Treasury’s general fund. It's not directly earmarked to pay down the debt unless Congress specifically allocates it that way. So far, there’s no clear evidence that new tariff money is being used to reduce the deficit as the deficit continues to grow under Trump and spending does, too. 
 
	 
 
	In just the first half of 2025, the government spent $142 billion more than the same period last year.
 
	 
 
	If tariffs were the fix, we’re clearly missing the manual.