Since declaring his 2024 presidential candidacy, President Donald Trump has concentrated much of his economic agenda on trade, specifically tariffs.
“We have been ripped off for decades by nearly every country on Earth, and we will not let that happen any longer,” Trump declared in his much-anticipated April 2 announcement on broad tariffs.
From leveling the playing field in global trade to reshoring U.S. manufacturing, the Trump administration aims to wield the tariff instrument to accomplish the president’s goals.
Here is a timeline of how we got here, from Inauguration Day to the present.
Jan. 20
President Donald Trump signs a presidential memorandum outlining his trade agenda, including plans for tariffs on major U.S. trading partners, including China, Mexico, and Canada, to curb the flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigrants and address the trade deficit.Jan. 26
Trump threatens 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Colombia after President Gustavo Petro rejects two U.S. military aircraft carrying illegal immigrants to the Latin American country. Petro retaliates with a 25 percent levy on U.S. products. The Colombian leader reverses his decision a day later and accepts the flights.Feb. 1
The president signs an executive order implementing a 10 percent baseline tariff on all Chinese goods entering the country. In addition, Trump announces 25 percent levies on goods from Canada and Mexico. Both sets of tariffs are set to go into effect on Feb. 4.Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum orders retaliatory tariffs, though she does not specify what will be targeted.
“I’ve instructed my economy minister to implement the plan B we’ve been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests,” Sheinbaum said in a lengthy post on social media platform X.
The Canadian government unveils a $155 billion tariff package, announcing the first phase that includes levies on $30 billion in goods imported from the United States.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announces retaliatory tariffs against the United States duing a news conference at the National Palace in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 4, 2025. Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images
Feb. 3
Trump postpones tariffs on Canada and Mexico by 30 days. This delay allows both other governments more time to institute their broader border agendas and engage in economic discussions. The new date they go into effect is March 4.Feb. 4
The 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports takes effect.Beijing responds by retaliating with a 15 percent levy on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a 10 percent import duty on crude oil, large-displacement vehicles, and agricultural machinery, effective Feb. 10.
Feb. 10
The president issues two proclamations expanding Section 232—a 1962 law that allows the president to implement tariffs on imports if they are determined to be a threat to national security—tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports. The action raises the tariff rate from 10 percent to 25 percent and abolishes all exemptions.Feb. 13
Trump teases his reciprocal tariff plan that will match the rates charged by other countries on U.S. goods.March 4
Trump raises tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 10 percent, lifting the cumulative rate to 20 percent. At the same time, the president approved a 30-day delay for various Canadian and Mexican goods to limit supply chain disruptions.China implements a second round of retaliatory tariffs that feature 10 to 15 percent levies on various U.S. commodities, including beef, chicken, dairy, corn, cotton, and fruits and vegetables. Beijing also halts U.S. lumber imports and eliminates soybean import licenses for three American companies. These measures are set to take effect on March 10.
An oil pumpjack in a field in Nolan, Texas, on April 8, 2025. President Donald Trump on March 24 posted on Truth Social that he would impose a 25 percent tariff on any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. Brandon Bell/Getty Images
March 5
Trump authorizes a one-month exemption on his new tariffs on goods compliant with the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).“At the request of the companies associated with USMCA, the president is giving them an exemption for one month so they are not at an economic disadvantage,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt tells reporters, referring to the United States–Mexico–Canada trade agreement that came into effect in July 2020.
March 6
Tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods compliant with the USMCA are paused for 30 days. Levies on other non-USMCA products, including 10 percent tariffs on Canadian energy and potash, remain in effect.March 10
China’s second round of countermeasures—tariffs on various U.S. commodities, such as including beef, chicken, dairy, corn, cotton, and fruits and vegetables—take effect.March 12
New U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports take effect. The industrial metals entering the United States are now taxed at 25 percent without exemptions.
Canada installs 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on $20.6 billion of U.S. goods after the Trump administration imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian aluminum, steel, and other products.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the U.S. tariffs are “entirely unjustified,” but says his country will not retaliate.
“Tariffs and escalating trade tensions are a form of economic self-harm and a recipe for slower growth and higher inflation,” Albanese says in a news conference.
“They are paid by the consumers. This is why Australia will not be imposing reciprocal tariffs on the United States.”
A worker maneuvers around steel sheets at Central Steel Supply Company in Marlborough, Mass., on March 13, 2025. The new 25 percent U.S. tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports went into effect shortly after midnight on March 12. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
March 13
The president threatens a 200 percent tariff on European champagne, wine, and spirits if the European Union moves ahead with a 50 percent levy on U.S. whiskey.March 24
Trump writes in a Truth Social post that he will implement a 25 percent tariff on all imports from any nation that purchases oil or gas from Venezuela.“Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse. Therefore, any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25 percent to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country,” Trump states.
March 27
The president announces a 25 percent tariff on automobiles, light trucks, and car parts not manufactured in the United States.April 1
The European Union confirms a two-part retaliatory plan that concentrates on nearly $30 billion of U.S. agricultural and industrial products.Israeli officials eliminate remaining tariffs on U.S. goods ahead of Trump’s sweeping tariff agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discuss newly imposed U.S. tariffs during a meeting in the Oval Office on April 7, 2025. Israel canceled its remaining tariffs on imports from the United States, is largest trading partner, a day before the Trump administration unveiled its tariff agenda on April 2. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
April 2
Trump declares a national emergency by invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and installs a 10 percent universal baseline tariff on all imports, beginning April 5. He also unveils his sweeping reciprocal tariff plans of as high as 50 percent to go into effect on April 9.April 4
China introduces a third round of countermeasures, including 34 percent tariffs on $144 billion of U.S. goods. The Chinese regime also revealed additional non-tariff efforts, such as trade sanctions, export restrictions, and probes into U.S. companies.Trump says on Truth Social that Vietnam is prepared to reduce tariffs to zero percent after the president implemented a reciprocal tariff of 46 percent on the Southeast Asian country.
April 5
In an April 5 letter to Trump, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet offers to reduce tariffs from the maximum 35 percent to a 5 percent applied tariff rate.“In expression of our good faith and in spirit of strengthening our bilateral trade relations, Cambodia is committed to promote U.S.-based product imports with an immediate reduction of 19 product categories from our maximum 35 percent tariff-bound rate to 5 percent applied tariff rate,” Manet wrote.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (2nd L) looks at a photo exhibition as Chinese general Cao Qing Feng (R) and Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha (C) look on during the Chinese regime's inauguration of the Ream Naval Base in Cambodia on April 5, 2025. Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP via Getty Images
April 8
Canada imposes a 25 percent import duty on U.S.-made automobiles not compliant with the USMCA.Trump hints at a potential trade agreement with South Korea, writing on Truth Social that their government is sending a negotiating team to the United States.
“I just had a great call with the Acting President of South Korea. We talked about their tremendous and unsustainable Surplus, Tariffs, Shipbuilding, large-scale purchase of U.S. LNG, their joint venture in an Alaska Pipeline, and payment for the big-time Military Protection we provide to South Korea,” the president said.
April 9
Trump pauses and reduces most reciprocal tariffs to 10 percent for most U.S. trading partners. Additionally, he immediately increases the levy on Chinese goods to 145 percent.China raises its tariffs on U.S. goods to 84 percent.
April 10
China bolsters its tariff rate further, to 125 percent on all U.S. goods.The European Union’s two-party retaliatory tariffs are paused for 90 days because “we want to give negotiations a chance.”
A woman buys New Balance sneakers displayed for sale at a shopping mall in Beijing on April 13, 2025. Beijing on April 11 issued a 125 percent retaliation levy against the U.S. move to hike tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images
April 12
Taiwan is one of the first nations to engage in trade discussions with the United States.“Both sides look forward to conducting follow-up consultations in the near future and jointly building a strong and stable economic and trade relationship between Taiwan and the United States,” Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said in a statement.
April 16
Trump, joined by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, meets with Japanese officials at the White House to talk trade.He later writes “Big Progress!” in a post on Truth Social.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks to reporters after tariff negotiations at the White House between Japanese and U.S. officials, in Tokyo on April 17, 2025. Franck Robichon/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
April 22
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, says the administration is “doing very well” and “moving in the right direction” toward making a deal with the Chinese communist regime.Trump also tells reporters that a new deal with China will not have tariffs “anywhere near” as high as 145 percent, adding that the current tariff regime “will come down substantially.”
April 23
Trump suggests he could increase tariffs on cars from Canada.“I really don’t want cars from Canada,” Trump tells reporters at the Oval Office. “So when I put tariffs on Canada, they’re paying 25 percent, but that could go up in terms of cars. When we put tariffs on, all we’re doing is we’re saying, ‘We don’t want your cars in all due respect.’”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tells reporters that the administration is estimating U.S.–China trade negotiations to last two to three years to ensure a “full rebalancing” in global trade.
A car hauler gets gas before making its way to the Ambassador Bridge to cross into the United States, in Windsor, Canada, on April 1, 2025. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
April 29
Trump signs executive orders offering tariff relief to U.S. automakers.The Trump administration will provide domestic car companies a 15 percent rebate this year if they finish assembling their automobiles in the United States. They will also receive a 10 percent rebate next year.
In addition, automakers will continue paying a tariff rate of 25 percent on imported vehicles, but the executive action will prevent other adjacent levies from “stacking” on top of the others.
