U.S. Tariff Timeline
Track key tariff actions, trade policy changes, and significant milestones in recent U.S. trade history.
This chronological overview covers major tariff implementations, modifications, and trade agreements since 2018.
Filter Timeline Events
Section 232 Steel & Aluminum Tariffs Announced
President Trump signs proclamations imposing 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% tariffs on aluminum imports, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Read official documentSection 301 China Investigation Results
USTR releases findings of Section 301 investigation into China's intellectual property practices, laying groundwork for tariffs on Chinese goods.
Read official documentChina Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Goods
China implements retaliatory tariffs of up to 25% on 128 U.S. products, including fruits, nuts, pork, and steel pipes, in response to Section 232 tariffs.
Section 232 Tariffs Extended to EU, Canada, Mexico
U.S. implements steel and aluminum tariffs on the European Union, Canada, and Mexico after temporary exemptions expire.
Read official documentFirst Round of Section 301 China Tariffs (List 1)
25% tariffs implemented on $34 billion of Chinese imports, covering 818 tariff lines, mostly industrial products and manufacturing inputs.
Read official documentSecond Round of Section 301 China Tariffs (List 2)
25% tariffs implemented on additional $16 billion of Chinese imports, covering 279 tariff lines including semiconductors, plastics, and electrical equipment.
Read official documentThird Round of Section 301 China Tariffs (List 3)
10% tariffs implemented on $200 billion of Chinese imports, covering over 5,700 tariff lines including consumer goods, building materials, and food.
Read official documentUSMCA Signed
United States, Mexico, and Canada sign the USMCA, intended to replace NAFTA, including new rules for automotive content, intellectual property, and digital trade.
Read official documentList 3 Tariffs Increased to 25%
U.S. raises tariffs on List 3 goods from 10% to 25% after trade negotiations with China stall.
Read official documentSection 232 Steel & Aluminum Tariffs Removed for Canada and Mexico
U.S. lifts Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum from Canada and Mexico, removing a major obstacle to USMCA ratification.
Read official documentFourth Round of Section 301 China Tariffs (List 4A)
15% tariffs implemented on $112 billion of Chinese imports, including consumer goods such as clothing, footwear, and certain electronics.
Read official documentU.S.-China Phase One Trade Agreement
U.S. and China sign "Phase One" trade agreement, with China pledging to purchase $200 billion in U.S. goods. U.S. reduces List 4A tariffs to 7.5% and suspends planned List 4B tariffs.
Read official documentUSMCA Enters Into Force
The USMCA officially replaces NAFTA, bringing new provisions for digital trade, expanded agricultural access, and updated rules of origin for automotive products.
Read official documentExecutive Order on Made in America
President Biden signs executive order to strengthen Buy American provisions, tightening domestic content requirements for federal procurement.
Read official documentU.S.-EU Steel & Aluminum Tariff Agreement
U.S. and EU reach agreement to replace Section 232 tariffs with tariff-rate quotas, allowing limited European steel and aluminum to enter the U.S. duty-free.
Read official documentU.S.-UK Steel & Aluminum Tariff Agreement
U.S. and UK reach agreement similar to EU deal, replacing Section 232 tariffs with tariff-rate quotas.
Read official documentUSTR Initiates Four-Year Review of Section 301 Tariffs
USTR begins statutory four-year review of Section 301 China tariffs first imposed in 2018.
Read official documentU.S. Expands Export Controls on Semiconductor Technology to China
U.S. Commerce Department imposes sweeping export controls on advanced semiconductor technology to China, citing national security concerns.
Read official documentUSTR Extends Section 301 Tariffs on China
USTR announces continuation of Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods following statutory four-year review.
Read official documentIncreased Tariffs Announced on Chinese EVs, Semiconductors
U.S. announces increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (from 25% to 100%), semiconductors, and critical minerals, citing unfair trade practices.
Read official documentU.S. Increases Solar Tariffs on Chinese-Made Products
Biden administration announced tariff increases on Chinese solar cells and modules up to 50%, along with a doubling of tariffs on Chinese semiconductors to 50%, as part of broader trade actions.
Read official documentEU Announces New Tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles
European Union imposes provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on Chinese electric vehicles, following investigation into state subsidies that allow Chinese manufacturers to undercut European producers.
Read official documentSection 301 Tariff Exclusions Extension for COVID Products
USTR extends tariff exclusions for certain COVID-19 related medical products from China through November 30, 2024, ensuring continued access to critical supplies.
Read official documentCanada Announces Provisional Steel Safeguard Measures
Canada implements provisional safeguard measures of 25% surtax on imports of certain steel products beyond historical import levels to protect domestic industry from potential surge of diverted steel.
Read official documentNew U.S.-Mexico Auto Rules of Origin Under USMCA Take Effect
Stricter automotive rules of origin requirements under the USMCA take effect, requiring higher North American content and labor value requirements for duty-free treatment, impacting automotive supply chains.
Read official documentCanada's Border Plan Announced
The Government of Canada announced Canada's Border Plan, aiming to bolster border security and strengthen the immigration system with a $1.3 billion investment.
Read official documentCanada Announces $155B Tariff Package in Response to U.S. Tariffs
In retaliation to unjustified U.S. tariffs, Canada announced a robust tariff package totaling $155 billion, targeting various U.S. goods.
Read official documentCanada Announces Robust Tariff Package in Response to Unjustified U.S. Tariffs
The Government of Canada announced new tariffs on U.S. goods in response to unjustified tariffs imposed by the United States.
Read official documentTrump's New Reciprocal Tariff Regime Announced
President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. trade regime, implementing a baseline 10% tariff on all imported goods and higher reciprocal tariffs for countries with significant trade barriers to U.S. products.
Read official documentTrump's New Rules of Origin
Former U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a new set of individualized reciprocal tariffs emphasizing the importance of product origin, affecting global supply chains and trade dynamics.
Read official documentAdditional Resources
Official Sources
- USTR Section 301 China Tariff Actions
Official information on all China Section 301 tariff lists and exclusion processes
- CBP Section 232 Steel & Aluminum Information
Guidance on steel and aluminum tariff implementation and country exemptions
Related Tools
- Duty Calculator
Calculate estimated duties including Section 301 and Section 232 tariffs
- Section 301 Tariff Glossary Entry
Learn more about Section 301 tariffs and their legal basis