U.S. Tariff Analysis Hub

Welcome to our Tariff Analysis Hub, where we provide comprehensive, data-driven analysis of U.S. tariff policies, their historical context, and their impact on global trade. Our goal is to help Canadians understand how these policies affect international commerce and the Canadian economy.

Historical U.S. Tariff Rates (1890-2025)

Historical Context

This chart shows the average tariff rate on all imports to the United States from 1890 to 2025. The 2025 spike to 14.5% represents the highest average U.S. tariff rate since the early 1930s, following the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which is widely considered to have deepened the Great Depression.

The general trend over the 20th century was toward lower tariffs, especially after the establishment of GATT in 1947 and later the WTO in 1994. However, beginning in 2018, the first Trump administration initiated a reversal of this long-term trend, with a further dramatic increase in 2025.

Tariff Analysis

Global Impact

Updated: April 17, 2025

U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs Analysis

Comprehensive analysis of the April 2025 reciprocal tariff policy, covering impacts across major trading partners including China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union.

View Full Analysis

U.S.-China Focus

Updated: April 17, 2025

U.S. Tariffs on China (2018-2025)

Interactive timeline tracking the evolution of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports from the start of the trade war through recent escalations, with sector-specific breakdowns.

Explore Timeline

Annexation Analysis

Updated: April 24, 2025

Timeline: U.S. Annexation Threats

A chronological record of statements by U.S. President Donald Trump threatening or suggesting the annexation of Canada as the 51st state, often connected to tariff threats and economic pressure.

View Timeline

Understanding Tariff Analysis

Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods and services, often used as tools of trade policy or to protect domestic industries. Our analysis examines:

Economic Impact: How tariffs affect prices, supply chains, and overall trade flows
Country Analysis: Specific effects on trade relationships between major economies
Historical Context: How current policies compare to historical tariff regimes
Canadian Perspective: Implications for Canadian businesses and consumers

We continuously update our analysis as policies evolve and new data becomes available.

Methodology and Sources

Our tariff analyses are based on official government data, policy announcements, and economic research. Key sources include:

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) notifications and factsheets
White House policy announcements and executive orders
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) trade data
World Trade Organization (WTO) reports and rulings
Academic research on international trade and tariff impacts
U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) historical tariff data

We strive to present data in its proper context while providing clear explanations of complex trade concepts.