WASHINGTON, D.C. December 31, 2025 – President Donald J. Trump declared that the United States has achieved a “World Record” in investments, claiming inflows trillions of dollars ahead of China, attributing the surge directly to his administration’s tariff policies. In a post on Truth Social shared via the White House Rapid Response account on X (formerly Twitter) on December 31, 2025, Trump stated: “The United States has set a World Record on Investments being made into a Country, and it is Trillions of Dollars more than number two, China. This is singularly because of TARIFFS, and the fact that if you make your product in the U.S., there ARE NO TARIFFS. Hence, factories and businesses are being built all over our Country – At a level never seen before. Congrats to the USA on this incredible achievement!!! President DJT.”
The announcement, posted amid New Year’s Eve celebrations, quickly garnered thousands of interactions on X, with supporters hailing it as evidence of a “Golden Age” for American manufacturing. Critics, however, questioned the figures, pointing to ongoing debates over the actual impact of tariffs on economic growth.
Trump’s claim echoes similar boasts from earlier in 2025, where he cited investment commitments ranging from $17 trillion to $22 trillion. According to a White House compilation, major investments include $1.2 billion in dairy processing and other projects tied to the “Trump Effect” in his second term. However, fact-checkers have labeled such totals as exaggerated or fictional, arguing they aggregate unrelated announcements without verifiable net inflows.
Recent data on foreign direct investment (FDI) provides a mixed picture. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the cumulative U.S. direct investment position abroad at $6.83 trillion by the end of 2024, with inbound FDI stock reaching approximately $5.7 trillion. In contrast, China’s FDI inflows for the first 10 months of 2025 totaled about $86.38 billion, a 10.3% decline year-over-year, amid a broader 27.1% drop in foreign investment in 2024—the sharpest since 2008. Global FDI trends for 2025 showed volatility, with overall project activity forecasted to decline 4-8.5% due to U.S. tariffs delaying corporate decisions. Despite this, global trade hit a record $35 trillion in 2025, driven by AI and technology demand.
Economists have debated the role of tariffs, implemented extensively under Trump, which are projected to raise $2.1 trillion in revenue but represent the largest U.S. tax increase as a percent of GDP (0.47%) since 1993. Proponents argue they incentivize domestic production, while detractors claim they slow trade and eliminate jobs. One X user echoed this skepticism: “Tariffs aren’t investments. That’s like saying I’m making an investment when I pay my income tax.” Another criticized: “We also set the world record for the most unsustainable debt. Any news on that?”
Supporters on X were enthusiastic, with posts like “Made in the USA…coming in hot in 2026!! 🇺🇲💥” and “President Trump’s tariff policy is ushering in the Golden Age for America.” Some attributed the gains to prior policies, such as Biden-era acts like the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act.
As 2026 begins, Trump’s administration faces pressure to deliver on these economic promises amid global uncertainties. The White House has not yet responded to requests for detailed data supporting the “trillions” claim.
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