A Timeline of Trump’s Global Tariff Implementation
Throughout his presidency, Donald Trump pursued an aggressive trade policy, employing tariffs as a central tool to reshape international trade relationships. Here’s a timeline outlining the key moments of his global tariff rollout:
January 2018: Solar Panel and Washing Machine Tariffs
In early 2018, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on imported solar panels and washing machines. These measures, enacted under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, aimed to protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition. The tariffs on solar panels started at 30% in the first year, declining to 15% by the fourth year. Washing machine tariffs began with a 20% duty on the first 1.2 million imported units and 50% on subsequent units.
March 2018: Steel and Aluminum Tariffs
Citing national security concerns, Trump announced tariffs on steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. These tariffs, set at 25% for steel and 10% for aluminum, affected numerous countries, leading to retaliatory measures from key trading partners like Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.
June 2018: Tariffs on China
The U.S. initiated tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese goods, escalating trade tensions between the two largest economies. The first wave targeted $34 billion in imports, followed by an additional $16 billion. China responded in kind, implementing tariffs on U.S. products, sparking a prolonged trade war.
September 2018: Further Escalation with China
The Trump administration imposed tariffs on an additional $200 billion of Chinese goods, increasing the pressure on Beijing to negotiate a trade deal. The tariff rate started at 10% and was later raised to 25%. China retaliated with tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. imports.
May 2019: Tariff Increase on Chinese Goods
The U.S. increased tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods after accusing China of backtracking on trade commitments. These actions further strained the relationship between the two nations and heightened global economic uncertainty.
August 2019: Additional Tariffs on China
In response to China’s retaliatory tariffs, the U.S. announced additional tariffs on approximately $300 billion of Chinese goods. This move meant that virtually all imports from China were subject to tariffs, marking a significant escalation in the trade war.
January 2020: Phase One Trade Deal with China
The U.S. and China signed the Phase One trade deal, offering a temporary de-escalation of the trade war. As part of the agreement, China committed to increasing purchases of U.S. goods and services, while the U.S. agreed to reduce some tariffs on Chinese products.
Conclusion
Trump’s use of tariffs had a profound impact on global trade, leading to trade disputes, retaliatory measures, and economic uncertainty. While the Phase One deal with China provided some relief, the long-term effects of these policies continue to shape the international trade landscape.
