United States Government Budget Value

The US government reported a budget deficit of $161 billion in March 2025, a 32% decrease from the previous year, largely due to a calendar shift in benefit payments, according to the Treasury Department. Despite this monthly decline, the broader fiscal picture remains concerning, with the Treasury reporting a $1.307 trillion deficit for the first half of fiscal 2025, a 23% increase from the previous year. This marks the second highest deficit for the first six months of any fiscal year, trailing only the $1.706 trillion gap in fiscal 2021, which was heavily influenced by pandemic-related spending. Net customs duties in March reached $8.75 billion, the highest since September 2022, due in part to tariff increases initiated by former President Donald Trump. However, the Treasury noted that Trump's claim of collecting $2 billion per day from tariffs is likely exaggerated. Overall, while receipts continued to grow, the budget outlook underscores ongoing fiscal challenges.