
President-elect Donald Trump is taking bold action to overhaul America’s economic strategy with the creation of the External Revenue Service (ERS). Announced on Truth Social, the ERS will focus on collecting tariffs, duties and foreign-sourced revenue to reduce the tax burden on American citizens.
Trump criticized previous administrations for relying heavily on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to collect taxes from hardworking Americans while foreign countries benefited from one-sided trade deals. The ERS, launching on January 20, is designed to reverse that trend by making foreign nations pay their fair share.
This initiative aligns with Trump’s broader push for fairer trade. He has proposed tariffs of 10% to 20% on all foreign goods, with Chinese imports potentially facing up to 60% tariffs. Trump has also warned Mexico and Canada of a 25% tariff if they fail to cooperate with US immigration policies.
Currently, US Customs and Border Protection handles tariff collection, but the ERS would centralize this task, streamlining the process and aligning it with Trump’s economic goals. Some have suggested the ERS could operate under the Treasury Department to avoid adding more responsibility to the IRS.
Economist EJ Antoni praised the move, calling it a positive shift away from income taxes and toward tariffs. He believes the ERS could help ease the tax burden on American families while encouraging economic growth.
By launching the ERS, Trump is moving quickly to deliver on his promise to prioritize American interests. This bold policy shift marks a significant step toward creating a stronger, more self-reliant economy.