U.S.-China tit-for-tat tariffs since Trump’s first term: Timeline

Donald Trump raises Chinese tariffs to 125%, escalating the trade war with China, impacting global economy and consumer prices. Here are some key moments in the countries’ years-long trade spat.

U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariff on Chinese imports to 125% on Wednesday (April 9, 2025), hours after China boosted the duty on American goods to 84% in an escalating battle that threatens to disrupt trade between the world’s two largest economies.

Trump’s global tariffs live updates - April 10, 2025

Citing a lack of respect, Trump set China apart from other countries. He said in a social media post that he is pausing his so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on many other trading partners because they had responded by reaching out for talks rather than retaliating.

Trump has now raised the tariff on Chinese goods five times since taking office in January. The first two hikes of 10% each were met with what analysts described as a measured response from China that left the door open for talks. But after Trump announced an additional 34% duty on Chinese goods last week, along with tariffs on other countries in his “Liberation Day,” China matched that with a 34% tariff on imports from the U.S.

Trump then added a 50% tariff on goods from China, saying negotiations were terminated, and bringing the cumulative U.S. tariff to 104%. China responded by raising the tariff on American products by the same amount, bringing its total rate to 84%. Then Trump upped the American tariff to 125%.

The tit-for-tat hikes between the U.S. and China are the latest in an ongoing trade war that threatens to raise prices for consumers in America and derail China’s attempts to reinvigorate its sluggish economy. The response from the Chinese government signals its determination not to bend to Trump’s pressure, despite the risks.

Here are some key moments in the countries’ years-long trade spat: