Another 'Trump-style bombshell' has dropped in American politics.

President Trump declared, "I will eliminate the federal income tax and instead fund the government with tariffs," which made many people curious, thinking, "So, will I not have taxes deducted from my paycheck?" However, upon further reflection... there is both excitement and concern, and honestly, it is a bit scary.

Trump's logic is very simple.

"American citizens struggle to pay taxes. Let's collect money from foreign countries when importing their goods instead."

Just hearing this makes him sound like a complete national hero. If federal income tax is not deducted from paychecks, people could have hundreds of dollars more in hand each month. Additionally, increasing consumption of American products and reducing the trade deficit can be seen as appealing patriotic marketing.

However, the reality is not that simple.

If the federal income tax disappears, everyone working in the U.S. will see a noticeable increase in disposable income. For example, a person earning $60,000 currently pays about $7,000 to $8,000 in federal taxes; if that becomes '0', they would have over $600 more each month. This money could provide significant relief for families paying rent, repaying loans, or covering children's tuition or health insurance.

Moreover, raising tariffs on imports could enhance the price competitiveness of American-made products and potentially revive domestic manufacturing. Trump dreams of this scenario: "Foreigners pay the taxes, and America keeps the jobs."

However, tariffs are ultimately paid by us consumers when we buy imported goods. For low-income individuals who heavily rely on cheap products from China, Vietnam, and Mexico, this could be a bigger blow than income tax.

For instance, many of the clothes, groceries, and electronics sold at Walmart are imported. If a 30% or 40% tariff is added, prices will inevitably rise, and ultimately, that burden will come out of consumers' wallets. Instead of not paying income tax, it would mean paying taxes every time they make a purchase.

Furthermore, if the U.S. unilaterally raises tariffs, other countries will not remain passive. Retaliatory tariffs will follow, and if a trade war escalates, it will impact not only exporting companies but also American agricultural products. This could pose a risk to the entire U.S. economy.

From a political reality standpoint, it seems unlikely that this plan will pass as actual legislation. The Democrats will likely want to maintain the structure of the income tax, and within the Republican Party, there will be many voices arguing that relying on tariffs as a primary revenue source is too radical. Some believe that filling the U.S. budget solely with tariffs is nearly impossible in today's world.

However, the political effect of Trump's statements is significant.

"I will eliminate taxes!"

With this one phrase, he can attract the attention of countless voters. Especially for those in the lower middle class, it feels like immediate help, and with the added patriotic slogan, it seems persuasive.

As an immigrant living in the U.S., I am not entirely thrilled about Trump's 'big and beautiful plan.' Of course, paying less tax is good. But what if tariffs go up and the prices of the items I buy every day increase? Even buying a pair of shoes for my kids or a kimchi refrigerator could become a burden. I also worry that Korean companies' products exported to the U.S. might become targets of retaliatory tariffs.

Still, throwing out such an issue leads the entire country to debate 'Is it really possible?' all night long, proving that Trump is indeed a genius of political theater.

Whether this show will actually turn into policy is uncertain, but it will undoubtedly affect our wallets.

 So this is not just news; it is a problem for all of us.