In the past week or so, the significant tariff policy adjustments in the United States have had a global impact, with China being the most affected. Up to now, China, the European Union and other major trading partners have also introduced retaliatory tariff policies as a solemn protest.

The relevant trade disputes showed signs at the beginning of the year. This huge tariff change will directly lead to uncertainties in agricultural product trade, import and export costs, supply chain stability and terminal market prices.

February 2025

February 1: The US First Proposes the "Fentanyl Tariff"

US President Trump signed an executive order, announcing that, citing issues such as fentanyl, a 10% tariff would be imposed on top of the existing tariffs on goods imported from China.

At the same time, the US would also impose a 25% tariff on goods imported from Mexico and Canada, with a 10% tariff increase on Canadian energy products.

February 4: China Conducts Tariff Retaliation for the First Time

The Tariff Commission of the State Council issued a notice. Starting from February 10, 2025, tariffs would be imposed on some imported goods originating from the United States: a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, and a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement vehicles, and pickup trucks.

The existing bonded and tax-exemption policies remained unchanged, and the tariffs imposed this time would not be exempted.

February 10: The US Proposes to Impose Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

US President Trump signed an executive order, announcing a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imported into the United States, to be implemented starting from March 12, 2025.

March 2025

March 3: The US Raises the "Fentanyl Tariff" Again

The US, once again citing the fentanyl issue, proposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese products exported to the US, to be implemented starting from March 4, 2025.

March 4: China Raises Tariffs on Some US-Imported Food

The Tariff Commission of the State Council issued a notice: starting from March 10, 2025, tariffs would be imposed on some imported goods originating from the United States. A 15% tariff would be imposed on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

The existing bonded and tax-exemption policies remained unchanged, and the tariffs imposed this time would not be exempted.

April 2025

April 2: The US Launches a "Triple - Tariff" Surprise

US President Trump signed an executive order at the White House, announcing the implementation of "reciprocal tariffs".

A 10% "benchmark tariff", that is, the "minimum tax rate", would be imposed on all imported goods from trading countries, to be implemented starting from April 5, 2025.

Higher tariffs would be imposed on 60 economies with large trade deficits. For example, China would face a 34% tariff (after adding the previous 20% "fentanyl tariff", the comprehensive tax rate would reach 54%), Vietnam 46%, Cambodia 49%, Thailand 36%, the European Union 20%, Japan 24%, India 26%, South Korea 25%, etc., to take effect starting from April 9, 2025.

On the same day, US President Trump confirmed that the 25% tariff on imported cars announced on March 26 would take effect on April 3. Under the framework of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the 25% tariff would only apply to non-US-produced parts.

On the same day, the US Department of Commerce stated that a 25% tariff would be imposed on all imported beer, and beer and empty aluminum cans would be included in the derivative product list for aluminum tariffs, to be implemented starting from April 4, 2025.

April 3: Canada Announces a 25% Retaliatory Tariff on US Cars

The Canadian government imposed a 25% tariff on all US-imported cars not covered by the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), but auto parts were not affected. This tariff measure would take effect on April 9, 2025.

April 4: China Releases a Series of Retaliatory Measures

01 The Tariff Commission of the State Council announced that starting from 12:01 on April 10, 2025, tariffs would be imposed on imported goods originating from the United States.

A 34% tariff would be imposed on top of the current applicable tariff rates for all imported goods from the United States.

The existing bonded and tax-exemption policies remained unchanged, and the tariffs imposed this time would not be exempted.

Goods that had been shipped from the place of departure before 12:01 on April 10, 2025, and were imported between 12:01 on April 10, 2025, and 24:00 on May 13, 2025, would not be subject to the additional tariffs specified in this notice.

02 Export controls were implemented on items related to medium and heavy-rare earths.

03 Sixteen US entities were included in the export control list, including companies such as High Point Aviation Technology Company and Global World Logistics Company.

04 Eleven US companies were included in the list of unreliable entities.

05 An investigation into the industrial competitiveness and anti-dumping of imported medical CT tubes was launched.

April 8: The US Raises Tariffs on China Again

The US government announced that it would raise the "reciprocal tariff" on Chinese goods exported to the US from 34% to 84%, with the total tax rate reaching 104%, to take effect on April 9.

April 8: Trump Says the US will Impose Tariffs on Drugs

US President Trump delivered a speech, saying that the US would impose tariffs on drugs.

Trump believed that once tariffs were imposed on drugs, pharmaceutical companies would open factories in the US because the US was "the largest market". The wide - ranging tariffs on US - imported goods announced by Trump on April 2 did not cover drugs. He said that drugs would face separate tariffs.

April 9: China Strengthens Retaliatory Measures

The Tariff Commission of the State Council issued a notice on adjusting the tariff - imposing measures on imported goods originating from the United States. Starting from 12:01 on April 10, 2025, the tariff - imposing measures on imported goods originating from the United States would be adjusted from 34% to 84%.

The Ministry of Commerce announced that 12 US entities would be included in the export control list, and the export of dual - use items to these 12 US entities would be prohibited. Six US entities would be included in the list of unreliable entities.

April 9: EU Member States Vote to Pass Anti-US Steel and Aluminum Tariff Retaliatory Measures

EU member states voted to pass the first-round anti-US tariff retaliatory measures, which would impose tariffs of up to 25% on a series of US products.

This round of retaliation was mainly aimed at the US steel and aluminum tariffs and would take effect on April 15.

April 10: US President Trump Announces a 90-Day Tariff Moratorium

Trump posted on social media, "In view of the fact that more than 75 countries have called the US representative offices to negotiate solutions to issues related to trade, trade barriers, tariffs, currency manipulation, and non - monetary tariffs, and these countries, under my strong advice, have not retaliated against the US in any way or form, I have approved a 90 - day moratorium. During this period, the reciprocal tariff will be significantly reduced to 10%, and the moratorium will take effect immediately."

In addition, Trump announced that the tariff on China would be raised from 104% to 125%.

April 10: The US Confirms a 145% Tariff on China

US news media confirmed with the White House that the tax rate on China was 145%, that is, a 20% "fentanyl tariff" adding a 125% "reciprocal tariff".

Source: Beijing Customs

Note: This article is compiled by Antion. Please indicate the source for reprint.