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President Donald Trump made a lot of tariff threats and trade promises this year. Many materialized into a barrage of new import taxes that overturned decades of U.S. economic policy — but others have yet to be fulfilled as 2025 comes to a close.

Some of Trump’s unrealized threats reflect a broader approach from a president with a track record of using sky-high levies to pressure other countries into new trade deals, one-up retaliatory measures or even punish political critics. At the same time, they arrived as growing list of tariffs did go into effect — from Trump’s punishing new taxes on imported metals, to tit-for-tat levies with top U.S. trading partners like China — plunging consumers and businesses worldwide into uncertainty.

Here’s what Trump said when announcing some of his biggest (but still unrealized) tariff threats and promises this year, and where things stand today.

External Revenue Service

In his words:

• Trump in a Jan. 14 social media post: “For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ... We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share. January 20, 2025, will be the birth date of the External Revenue Service.”
• Trump in his Jan. 20 inaugural address: “We are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties, and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our Treasury, coming from foreign sources.”

What happened: The External Revenue Service has yet to be established as of the end of December. While administration officials continued to reiterate plans for launching the External Revenue Service during Trump’s first months back in office, the entity does not yet exist.

200% tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits

In his words:

• Trump in a March 13 social media post: “The European Union, one of the most hostile and abusive taxing and tariffing authorities in the World, which was formed for the sole purpose of taking advantage of the United States, has just put a nasty 50% Tariff on Whisky. If this Tariff is not removed immediately, the U.S. will shortly place a 200% Tariff on all WINES, CHAMPAGNES, & ALCOHOLIC PRODUCTS COMING OUT OF FRANCE AND OTHER E.U. REPRESENTED COUNTRIES.”

What happened: The EU’s planned levy on American whiskey — which it unveiled as part of broader retaliation in response to Trump’s new steel and aluminum tariffs — was postponed, with the latest delay reportedly running until at least February.

Trump’s 200% tariff threat on European alcohol never materialized. But spirits were not included in the EU-U.S. trade deal struck over the summer, which set a 15% rate on most European imports.

100% tariff on foreign-made films

In his words:

• Trump in a May 4 social media post: “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death ... I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands.”
• Trump in a Sept. 29 social media post: “Our movie making business has been stolen from the United States of America, by other Countries, just like stealing ‘candy from a baby’ ... I will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any and all movies that are made outside of the United States.”

What happened: Despite Trump’s repeated threats, the U.S. has yet to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films. After his initial May promise to initiate the process, the White House said no final decision had been made. Also still unclear is how the U.S. would tax a movie made overseas.

Tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs

In his words:

• Trump in a Cabinet meeting on July 8: “We’ll be announcing something very soon on pharmaceuticals. We’re going to give people about a year, a year and a half, to come in. And after that, they’re going to be tariffed ... They’re going to be tariffed at a very, very high rate, like 200 percent.”
• Trump in a Sept. 25 social media post: “Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America.”

What happened: The president did not sign an executive order imposing a 100% tariff on pharma products on Oct. 1 and, as of today, no levy has been put into place. But Trump previously suggested that steep levies on pharmaceutical drugs could arrive further down the road, telling CNBC in August that he would start by charging a “small tariff” and potentially raise the rate as high as 250%. Meanwhile, trade agreements with specific countries set their own rates or exemptions — with the U.K., for example, securing a 0% tariff on all British medicine exported to the U.S. for three years. The administration also announced deals with specific companies with promises of lower drug prices.

100% tariff on computer chips

In his words:

• Trump on August 6: “We’ll be putting a tariff of approximately 100% on chips and semiconductors ... But if you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge.”

What happened: A sweeping 100% on computer chips has yet to go into effect. When announcing his plans to impose the levy back in August, Trump was not specific about the timing. And other details have remained scarce.

$2,000 tariff dividend

In his words:

• Trump in a Nov. 9 social media post: “People that are against Tariffs are FOOLS! ... A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high income people!) will be paid to everyone.”

What happened: Details about how, when and if a tariff dividend will reach Americans are still scarce. Budget experts have said that the math doesn’t add up. And Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that it might not mean checks from the government. Instead, Bessent told ABC in November, the rebate might take the form of tax cuts. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett also told CBS News that it’s up to Congress.

AP

Students from the Kathmandu University School of Law are implementing the Eco-Justice Initiatives, a project focused on environmental issues, community engagement, and governance along the Roshi River corridor.

According to the organizers, the initiative includes field research, community interaction, environmental assessment, and engagement with local governance bodies to collect data and inform discussions on environmental management and policy.

The project began with a panel discussion titled “Reimagining Tomorrow” at CV Raman Hall, Kathmandu University. The panel included Sagar Dhakal, Tashi Lhazom, Arnab Chaudhary, and Prasuj Mainali, who discussed topics related to environmental justice, governance, and community participation.

As part of field activities, students visited Kalati, Panauti, Banepa, and Bethanchwok. During these visits, they interacted with local residents and conducted environmental assessments, including water quality testing, soil sampling, and air quality monitoring, to document environmental conditions in the area.

The initiative also includes educational sessions at schools, where students discussed environmental awareness, sustainability, and civic engagement with schoolchildren.

In addition, the team has submitted Right to Information (RTI) requests to relevant authorities seeking information on land use, mining permits, and environmental governance. Information obtained through RTI responses is being used for research and discussion with local government bodies.

A Local Governance Dialogue was organized involving representatives from Bethanchwok, Dhulikhel, Banepa, and Panauti municipalities. The dialogue focused on environmental protection, policy implementation, and coordination between local governments, communities, and researchers.

The project also involves the production of a documentary intended to record environmental conditions, community perspectives, and project activities in the Roshi River area.

Organizers said preparations are underway to form a Women’s Climate Champion Group aimed at encouraging women’s participation in environmental and governance-related activities at the local level.

The Eco-Justice Initiatives project is supported by the British Council and the Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON).

The Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) has announced the celebration of 'Nepal-ASEAN Tourism Year 2026' on the occasion of its 27th establishment day.

Delivering a welcoming speech at the inaugural ceremony, Board’s Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi said ASEAN countries are a high-potential market for Nepal, unveiling a special strategy targeting 2026.

According to Joshi, more than 170,000 tourists from ASEAN countries have visited Nepal so far, describing the region as a large and long-term market.

“Nepal will be established strongly in the ASEAN market through Buddhist and spiritual tourism, nature and adventure tourism, wellness and Ayurveda, culture and community-based tourism,” he said.

Mukunda Niraula, Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation chaired the program.

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Anil Kumar Sinha was the chief guest and Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha was the special guest of the event.

Joshi said tourist arrivals are projected to reach 1.16 million in 2025, up about 3 percent from last year.

According to him, 31 tourism marts, 12 branding and corporate activities, and more than 20 MICE programs have been completed by 2025.

He also said that tourism promotion was carried out through live broadcasts from eight main tourist destinations, travel information was published in nine languages, 69 tourism infrastructures were developed, and 41 programs and development activities were conducted from the east to the far west after the GenZ protests.

The NTB also revealed seven major travel destinations expected to shape Nepal’s tourism in 2026.

Normal life in Saptari district has been affected with the abrupt fall in temperature.

The general public have suffered from different cold-related diseases such as pneumonia, common cold, cough and asthma in Rajbiraj and other areas due to growing cold.

Mainly children and senior citizens are suffering most from the diseases, it is said.

Meanwhile, three local levels in the district have announced school closure as the cold wave affected normal life.

According to Senior Education Officer of the District Education Office of Rajbiraj Municipality Bhogendra Prasad Yadav, the schools have been shut for three days as the cold wave has adversely affected children.

Likewise, Mahadeva and Agnisair Krishnasabaran Rural Municipalities have also announced holiday in the schools for three days.

Issuing separate statements, the local levels stated that the schools have been closed down for three days by considering potential effects of cold on children.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 7, 900 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 262, 100 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 270, 000 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 305 and is being traded at Rs 4, 590 per tola.

The Election Commission (EC) has determined the maximum amount that a candidate can spend for the National Assembly (NA) election.

The EC stated that a candidate for the NA election can spend up to Rs 350,000. As set by the EC spending limit, Rs 70,000 could be spent for vehicle rent, Rs 10,000 for fuel, Rs 1,500 for publicity materials and others.

Likewise, the other costs include Rs 10,000 for transportation, Rs 100,000 for seminar and interaction programs and Rs 14,500 for printing and electronic media.

The EC mentioned that Rs 70,000 could be spent for office management, Rs 30,000 for representative mobilization and Rs 30,000 for miscellaneous items.

The NA election is scheduled to take place on January 25, 2026.

The EC has also asked the candidates to open a separate bank account in banks and financial institutions for the NA election purpose and a responsible person should be named for the spending during the election.

After the completion of the poll, the candidates should submit the election cost to the EC as per the NA Member Election Act, 2075 BS.

A total of 125,766 voters were registered in Bhojpur district for the forthcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections.

Chief of the District Election Office, Dikendra Subedi, confirmed that the updated voter's name list has been released, confirming 125,766 voters in Bhojpur.

The number of voters in the district increased by 2,387 for this poll compared to the last election. In the previous election, the number of voters in the district was 123,379, the District Election Office in Bhojpur said.

According to Subedi, male voters are 65,788 and women voters are 59,977, while one is 'other'.

Likewise, the District Election Office has released the data of voters of each local level.

As per the data, Bhojpur Municipality has 20,189 voters, 21,896 voters in Shadananda Municipality, 12,643 voters in Arun Rural Municipality and there are 12,444 voters in Amchowk Rural Municipality.

The Office stated that 10,663 voters were registered in Pauwadung Rural Municipality and 13,557 voters in Temkemaiyung Rural Municipality.

Likewise, the voters' number in Ramprasad Rai Rural Municipality is 11,900 and 8,724 voters in Salpasilichho Rural Municipality and 13,750 voters are recorded in Hatuwagadhi Rural Municipality, Subedi confirmed.

Subedi also stated that the Office is preparing for the upcoming HoR elections.

The Central Committee meeting of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has approved the unification agreement of RSP and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah.

A meeting of the RSP Central Committee held last night endorsed the agreement forged between the RSP and Mayor Shah, RSP general secretary Kabindra Burlakoti said.

The meeting has also decided to work for good governance, prosperity, democracy and social justice through the implementation of the deal, which the party has termed a 'huge courage, sacrifice and reflection of hope' for national interests.

Earlier in the wee hours of Sunday, the RSP and Mayor Shah reached a seven-point agreement on various issues in the lead up to the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives.

The agreement was reached and signed by RSP President Rabi Lamichhane and Mayor Shah.

According to the agreement, the movement against corruption and ill governance waged by the youths shall be owned, and the demands of the injured and martyred families will be appropriately addressed.