Following the Timeline of Escalating Tariffs

30 April 2025

New announcements about tariffs are being made with startling rapidity – the following summarises the main announcements this year, up to and including 13 April.

Timeline of announcements

1 February – Trump signs executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico and Canada (except Canadian oil and energy, which are subjected to a 10% tariff).   A 10% tariff is imposed on Chinese goods, supplementing existing tariffs of up to 25% on various products.   All are due to take effect 4 February. 

3 February - Canada and Mexico negotiate a one-month delay in implementation.

4 February - EU trade ministers convene in Warsaw to address potential US tariffs on European goods.

7 February - EU proposes reducing tariffs on car imports, including those from the US, from 10% to a rate closer to the US tariff of 2.5%, in an aim to mitigate potential US tariffs on European goods.

10 February - US announces a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, effective 12 March. This move eliminates previous exemptions and introduces requirement for steel to be "melted and poured" and aluminium to be "smelted and cast" within North America.  In retaliation, China imposes a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas and a 10% tariff on crude oil and agricultural machinery from the US.

13 February - President Trump directs his administration to research custom reciprocal tariffs for every country, considering factors such as existing tariffs and trade balances. A report is expected within 180 days.

25 February - President Macron seeks to dissuade President Trump from initiating a trade war with Europe, encouraging a focus on addressing issues China instead.

3 March - US confirms that the previously announced 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada will proceed as planned on 4 March. Additionally, tariffs on Chinese goods are increased by another 10%.

4 March - In response, Canada implements 25% tariffs on $30 billion worth of US goods, with plans to expand these measures to $125 billion in the coming weeks.   China announces a 15% tariff on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, effective March 10.

6 March – US exempts Canadian and Mexican imports that satisfy USMCA rules of origin from the 25% hike implemented two days earlier.

11 March - US threatens to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium imports to 50% in retaliation for Ontario's 25% electricity surcharge on US states. Ontario announces the suspension of the 25% surcharge, aiming to de-escalate the dispute.

12 March - EU announces plans to impose counter-tariffs on €26 billion worth of US goods (including boats, bourbon, and motorbikes) starting 1 April, in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports. President Trump withdraws the threat to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium imports.

20 March – US issues executive order to boost domestic mining and processing of critical mineral.

25 March – US issues executive order adding secondary tariffs of 25 % on third countries who import Venezuelan oil, to be effective 2 April.

26 March – US announces plan for 25% tariff on automobiles and automobile parts, effective from 3 April.

2 April – US announces a universal 10% tariff, 25% on foreign automakers, and “reciprocal tariffs” on certain countries based on what they levy on US goods. This includes 34% on goods from China, and 20% on EU goods.  According to the White House: “Reciprocal tariffs are calculated as the tariff rate necessary to balance bilateral trade deficits between the US and each of our trading partners. This calculation assumes that persistent trade deficits are due to a combination of tariff and non-tariff factors that prevent trade from balancing”. President Trump signs executive order revoking “de minimis” rules for goods from China and Hong Kong, including for packages sent by international mail, to take effect on 2 May.   Ad valorem duties of 120% of the value of the postal package, or a specific duty per item of $100 from will apply from 2 May until 31 May, rising to $200 per item from 1 June.

3 April – US tariffs on automotive goods take effect.  Canada announces it will match them with 25% tariff on vehicles imported from the US.

4 April – China announces plans to add a 34% tariff on all US good, starting 10 April, as well as more export controls on rare earth minerals.

5 April – US minimum 10% tariff on products from nearly all countries takes effect.

8 April- US threatens to increase tariff on goods from China by a further 50%, to 104%.  Extent of impact on British businesses becomes clearer.

9 April – US “reciprocal” tariffs go into effect including tariff of 104% for Chinese goods.  China promises to raise its tariff on US goods to 84%, starting 10 April.  Hours later, President Trump says the US will suspend most of these new higher rates for 90 days, while maintaining a minimum 10% tariff on goods from almost all countries, and increasing tariffs on goods from China to 125%.  Canada’s 25% tariff on US auto imports takes effect.   Responding to the US imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminium, the EU also votes to approve levies on $23 billion of US goods, to take effect on 15 April, 15 May and 1 December; the types of goods involved are yet to be decided.

10 April - US clarifies that 125% tariff on China is in addition to the pre-existing 20% “fentanyl tariff”, taking total to 145% for all goods imports.

11 April - China raises tariffs on US products to 125%.

12 April - US leadership reveals that consumer electronics (including smartphones and computers) from China are exempt from the previously-announced high tariffs.

13 April - US commerce secretary explains that consumer electronics from China will be covered by new levies, to be announced soon.  US president writes in social media post that there will be “no exemption” for consumer electronics, but that they will be covered by the 20% “fentanyl” tariffs instead, adding that trade in all semiconductors and electronics supply chain will be addressed in “upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations”.   Meanwhile, China suspends exports of some rare earth minerals and magnets.  UK reduces import tariffs to zero for a period of two years for a wide of goods, including pasta, plastics, fruit juices, plywood and gardening supplies.

16 April – Overnight, US White House releases a factsheet saying that China now faces tariffs of up to 245%.  Later that day, the White House clarifies that the 145% “reciprocal tariffs” are in addition to the “Section 301” tariffs deployed under the previous administration. This means that some products, including electric vehicles and syringes, are now subject to 245% import tariffs. In other words, the factsheet is not announcing a new blanket tariff on Chinese goods.

21 April – China threatens reciprocal countermeasures against any country that negotiates new deals with the US at China’s expense.

22 April – US announces new tariffs on imports of solar panels from Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.  It is claimed that Chinese-owned companies decided to manufacture large amounts of panels in those countries in order to avoid US import restrictions on Chinese-made goods.  The new tariffs vary in severity range from 24.4% for Malaysia up to 3,521% rate for Cambodia (this number reflects Cambodia’s decision to cease participation in an investigation by the US Commerce Department).

25 April - reports emerge that China is secretly rolling back some of the retaliatory tariffs on some US-made semiconductors, so that importers are not being require to pay the listed import duty at customs.

29 April – President Trump signs executive order clarifying that tariffs on foreign cars and car parts will not be “stacked”. In other words, the importing automaker will only pay the highest relevant tariff – e.g. they will only pay the foreign autos tariff, without the addition of the general so-called “fentanyl” and “steel and aluminium” tariffs.  He also announced some rebates on the automotive tariffs, based on the value of US-made cars produced by the automaker.

30 April - reports emerge that China is secretly rolling back some of the retaliatory tariffs on some US-made pharmaceuticals, so that importers are not being require to pay the listed import duty at customs.

1 May - US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces that, by 16 May, it will publish tariff refund procedures and modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS).  This is order to implement Executive Order 14289, which addresses certain tariffs on imported articles.

3 May - Latest round of US auto tariffs takes effect. 25% levies now apply to a range of imported auto parts.

4 May – In a speech, US president announces imposition of 100% tariffs on films made outside the US.

5 May – US White House spokesman says that “No final decisions” on foreign film tariffs.

6 May – UK and India announce new trade deal, including India reducing tariffs on UK whisky and gin from 150% to 75%, then to 40% in year 10; UK cars from 100% to 10%, with the addition of quotas; and across 90% of British product types overall.  The UK will reduce tariffs on Indian clothes, footwear and food products.

8 May - US Tariffs on UK Steel and Aluminium Cut to Zero in Landmark Deal

International Response

Government, economic and business leaders are responding to the above developments.  Among them, we draw particular attention to two press releases from the British Chamber of Commerce, which has its finger uniquely on the pulse of British business – one relating to the automotive industry and the other to exporters and businesses in all sectors.

Managing Change and Risk

Businesses crave stability and certainty – in the face of rapid changes, the best remedy is to be both alert to relevant updates, and agile to respond quickly, so that stability is restored as quickly as possible.

Chamber International keeps on top of the latest developments as far as they impact the UK’s importers and exporters.  Its regularly updated programme of seminars and workshops keep businesses up-to-date.  CI also helps businesses improve their capacity and responsiveness for international trade, for instance through the Export Trade Accelerator programme.

Two special briefings have been given by British Chambers of Commerce’s Head of Trade Policy William Bain, jointly organised by Chamber International and other leading UK chambers.  The first was on 9 April, and the second on 24 April, and both focussed on the impact of US tariffs on UK business.  Unsurprisingly, given the current trade climate, a large number of people registered for both these events, and turnout was high.

Unsurprisingly, given the current trade climate, a large number of people registered for this event, and turnout was high. Special thanks to our presenter, and to those of you who submitted questions. Regrettably, it was not possible to answer all enquiries in depth, in the limited time available. 

Click here for more, also to submit any queries you may have.

Training

Attend our upcoming Shipping to and from the US online workshop taking place on 15 May, at 1:30pm, and find out how you can deal with US-UK shipping for imports and exports.

Consultancy

We are uniquely positioned to help you with your imports and exports, and can assist in any queries you may have on US Tariffs. Enquire now.

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