Trade War Timeline

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hints at a “path” to a tariff accord after IMF-side chats, noting that China “will see this high tariff level is unsustainable”. (U.S.–China duties have soared to an eye-popping 145% and 125%, effectively a trade embargo​.) Beijing swiftly denies any ongoing negotiations – accusing Washington of “creating confusion” – but Washington’s tone suggests pressure to ease the pain as import costs bite. 

President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that the 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods is likely to come down.  “145% is very high and it won’t be that high,” and that “ It’ll come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”

US Department of Commerce (DoC) announced its final determinations in anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into solar cells from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The investigations were launched in May 2024 under the Biden administration following a petition from First Solar, Inc., Hanwha Q CELLS USA, Inc., and Mission Solar Energy LLC.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) has announced it will begin to implement fees on Chinese vessels docking at US ports, as part of an effort to counter what the US claims are “China’s unreasonable acts, policies, and practices to dominate the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.”

In an executive order signed on Friday, Trump exempted a range of electronic products and components from the reciprocal tariffs, including computers (including parts and accessories for their assembly), smartphones, flat panel displays, SSDs, computer monitors, various types of semiconductors, and integrated circuits. The exemptions are effective retroactively from April 5.

China retaliates against US tariffs under IEEPA imposed April 10, to reach levels of recent US tariff increases of 125 percent

China retaliates against US tariffs under IEEPA imposed April 5 and 9 by imposing tariffs of 84 percent; US eliminates tariffs imposed April 9 on trade surplus countries under IEEPA with exception of China, which faces an additional 41 percent tariff increase under IEEPA (to 125 percent total), but with some sector carveouts

US imposed 74% tariff for imports from under IEEPA. US tariff on China includes an additional 50 percent tariff as counter-retaliation for China’s retaliation announcement.

China announces other retaliatory moves including more export controls on rare earth minerals, and files a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization.

China also suspends imports of sorghum, poultry and bonemeal from several U.S. companies, adds 27 firms to lists of companies facing trade restrictions, and starts an anti-monopoly probe into DuPont China Group Co.

On Trump’s so-called tariff “Liberation Day,” he announces additional 34% duties on all Chinese imports, alongside tariffs on goods from countries around the world. The sweeping tariffs are to come into effect April 9.

Trump’s metals tariffs (25% steel, 10% aluminum) provoke Beijing’s swift retaliation on U.S. goods.

Additional 10% tariffs on all Chinese goods will go into effect. China responds with additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of key U.S. farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef, and expanded controls on doing business with key U.S. companies. The tariffs went into effect on March 10.

New 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports to the U.S. come into effect. China retaliates the same day by announcing a flurry of countermeasures, including duties on American coal, liquefied natural gas and agricultural machinery.

After a statutory review of the China tariffs, USTR decides to retain and raise tariffs on critical sectors. Plans emerge to hike duties on items like solar panels, EV batteries, semiconductors (up to 50%) and other strategic imports in 2024–2026​. Meanwhile, broad consumer-goods tariffs stay put, disappointing businesses hoping for relief. 

The U.S. Court of International Trade rules that the List 3 and 4A China tariffs were lawfully implemented, despite earlier procedural questions. This dashes importers’ hopes of voiding the tariffs – though appeals are underway. 

In a nod to importers, USTR restores 352 expired tariff exemptions on Chinese products ranging from auto parts to home goods​. These items (previously hit by Section 301 duties) can enter tariff-free again, at least through year-end 2022. 

Biden acknowledges China bought only ~60% of promised goods under Phase 1 and rules out lifting tariffs until Beijing meets its pledges​. U.S. businesses urge relief amid high inflation, but tariffs of up to 25% persist​. 

USTR Katherine Tai’s long-awaited China trade strategy keeps Trump’s tariffs in place while pressuring Beijing on unmet Phase 1 commitments. Tai pledges to restart a tariff-exclusion process to help U.S. importers and re-engage China in talks.

Thousands of importers – from Tesla to Home Depot – file a joint lawsuit contesting Trump’s “unbounded” List 3 and 4A tariffs and seeking refunds. They argue the administration overstepped its authority and missed legal deadlines.

A WTO dispute panel finds Trump’s Section 301 tariffs violated global trade rules (discriminating solely against China and exceeding agreed rates). Washington appeals the verdict, leaving it unenforced.

U.S. and China sign a deal: China commits to $200 billion in extra U.S. purchases over two years, stronger IP protections, and currency pledges. In return, Washington halves some tariffs (Sept 2019’s 15%->7.5%) and cancels new December tariffs – but keeps 25% tariffs on $250 billion in goods in place.

After high-level talks, Trump announces a preliminary deal: no October tariff increase, and China to boost farm purchases. Details prove scant, but markets breathe a sigh of relief.

US begins 15% tariffs on ~$125 billion of Chinese goods, targeting smart speakers, Bluetooth headphones, footwear and more​. China starts adding 5–10% duties on a portion of $75 billion U.S. goods (including a 5% levy on crude oil)​

Beijing unveils new duties on $75 billion of U.S. goods (5–10% on thousands of items)​. An irate Trump “hereby orders” U.S. firms to seek China alternatives and vows to hike all tariffs by another 5%.

Under pressure from retailers, Trump postpones tariffs on certain holiday products (like electronics & toys) from Sept 1 to Dec 15​

Beijing halts U.S. farm purchases and lets the yuan weaken past ¥7 per $1 (11-year low), jolting markets.

Citing lack of progress, Trump announces 10% tariffs on an additional $300 billion of Chinese consumer goods.

At G20, Trump and Xi reboot negotiations: no new tariffs for now and a reprieve for Chinese tech giant Huawei.

After China backtracks on a draft deal, Trump hikes tariffs on $200 billion of goods from 10% to 25%; Beijing readies retaliation​.

rump and Xi agree to pause new tariffs; US delays a Jan 2019 hike as China pledges large purchases.

US levies 10% on $200 billion of Chinese goods (List 3), set to rise to 25%; China retaliates on $60 billion of U.S. goods.

Both countries expand 25% tariffs to a second $16 billion batch of imports.

US imposes 25% duties on $34 billion of Chinese goods (List 1); China immediately matches on $34 billion of U.S. exports.

Trump makes a late-day statement calling for the broadest wave of new tariffs yet — $100 billion worth. He asks US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to look into which products his administration can target.

The Chinese government announces yet another set of retaliatory tariffs that nearly mirror the Trump administration's proposal a day earlier -- 25% on a range of products from the US, worth approximately $50 billion.

US Trade Representative proposes a 25% tax on close to 1,300 Chinese goods from the aerospace, machinery and medical industries.