US-China Trade War: Chronology of Escalating Tariffs and Tensions
February 4, 2025
* US imposes 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports.
* China retaliates with duties on US coal, LNG, and agricultural machinery.
May 2024
* Biden raises tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar cells, steel, aluminum, and medical equipment.
February 2024
* On the campaign trail, Trump proposes imposing 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports if re-elected.
October 2022
* Biden imposes restrictions on selling semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China.
January 2020
* US and China sign Phase One trade deal with China committing to purchase $200 billion in US goods.
June 2019
* Trump and Xi agree to resume trade talks.
May 2019
* US bans Chinese tech company Huawei from purchasing components from US firms.
December-May 2019
* Trump raises tariffs from 10% to 25% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.
January 2018
* US announces 30% tariffs on imported solar panels, mostly from China.
August 2017
* Trump launches investigation into alleged Chinese IP theft, estimating annual costs of $600 billion.
April 2017
* Trump and Xi agree to 100-day plan for trade talks, which ultimately fail.
March 2017
* Trump orders stricter tariff enforcement in anti-dumping cases.