Since taking office on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump has released a wave of tariff policies that have rocked the very foundations of international trade. His belligerent actions focused on addressing problems such as illegal immigration, fentanyl smuggling, and trade deficits—have sparked turmoil in financial markets and strained ties with major allies and rivals alike. What started as focused obligations soon turned into broad trade measures, which invited retaliation as well as temporary ceasefires. The following is an in-depth timeline of the key events in Trump’s rising tariff drive.
June 2: Since coming into office on January 20, U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff actions have shaken financial markets and ignited widespread worldwide uncertainty.
Here’s a chronology of significant events:
February 1: Trump places a 25% tariff on Mexican and most Canadian imports, and a 10% tariff on Chinese products, requiring these countries to assist in stopping illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling.
February 3: He temporarily suspends the tariffs on Mexico and Canada for a 30-day period after the two countries agree on crime and border security, although no such agreement is reached with China.
February 7: The government delays tariffs on Chinese low-cost packages pending assessment by the Commerce Department of systems to monitor and collect the fees.
February 10: Tariffs on steel and aluminum are increased to a uniform 25%, with no exceptions or waivers.
March 3: Trump declares that 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will start March 4 and doubles tariffs on Chinese imports linked to fentanyl to 20%.
March 5: Trump delays tariffs on certain Canadian and Mexican cars for a month after he speaks with General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis executives.
March 6: Canadian and Mexican goods that fall under the North American trade agreement are temporarily exempt from the 25% tariff.
March 26: There is a new 25% tariff on automobiles and light vehicles imported to the country.
April 2: The president announces a world tariff plan that has a starting 10% rate for all imports and increased rates for major trading nations.
April 9: In response to a stock market collapse that destroyed trillions of value, Trump puts on hold most of the tariffs on a country-by-country basis for 90 days. The 10% across-the-board import tariff stays. He also reports a rise in Chinese tariffs on imports from 104% to 125%, putting total tariffs on Chinese imports at 145% when added to previous fentanyl-related tariffs.
April 13: The exemptions are provided on high-tech products like smartphones, computers, and some electronics that are mainly shipped from China.
April 22: The government initiates national security investigations under Section 232 on the imports of pharmaceuticals that target semiconductor imports with a goal to impose new tariffs on both.
May 4: Trump places a 100% duty on all overseas-made films.
May 9: The U.S. and U.K., under British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, introduce a modest trade agreement. The deal maintains 10% tariffs on British products, moderately enhances agricultural trade, and reduces high U.S. tariffs on British automobiles.
May 12: The United States and China sign a 90-day truce, where the United States lowers its additional tariffs on Chinese products from 145% to 30%, and China lowers tariffs on American goods from 125% to 10%.
May 13: Tariffs on Chinese shipments worth less than $800 (de minimis) are decreased from 120% to 54%.
May 23: Trump floats a 50% tariff on imports from the European Union, starting June 1, and threatens Apple it would be charged a 25% duty if it produces iPhones overseas for U.S. sales.
May 25: He postpones the 50% EU tariff, adding trade negotiations with the bloc until July 9.
May 28: The U.S. trade court halts Trump’s tariffs, declaring he overstepped presidential power with blanket duties. The administration says plans to appeal.
May 29: A federal appeals court temporarily reinstates the broadest tariffs, suspending the previous court decision and ordering legal briefs from both sides, due June 5 and June 9.
May 30: Trump, speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, pledges to double tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50% from 25%.
