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U.S. Tariffs on China

Last Updated: May 12, 2025 — Significant tariff reduction announced

Updated May 12, 2025: This analysis now includes the significant tariff reduction announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The tariff rate on most Chinese goods has been reduced from 145% to 30%, while electronics continue to face a 20% tariff.

Previously Updated April 17, 2025: Accounts for the White House fact sheet clarification that “up to 245%” tariffs apply specifically to electric vehicles and syringes/needles (approximately 0.21% of Chinese exports to the U.S.).

Overview

This interactive chart tracks the evolution of U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports from January 2018 through May 2025, covering the entire period of the U.S.-China trade war across both the Trump and Biden administrations, and into Trump's second term. The chart highlights the average tariff rate across all product categories, weighted by the share of imports by category.

Tariff Rate Evolution

Interactive Chart: Hover over any point in the chart to see details about tariff changes on that date.

Date Range

-
Jan 2018Jan 2020Jan 2022Jan 2024May 2025

As shown in the chart, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods began increasing in 2018 with the start of the trade war under the first Trump administration. After a period of relative stability during the Biden administration, tariffs increased dramatically in early 2025 when Trump returned to office, culminating in the April 2, 2025 “Liberation Day” tariff escalation and subsequent clarifications. However, on May 12, 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a significant reduction in tariffs.

The key reduction was in the reciprocal tariff, which had escalated up to 125%. The reciprocal tariff was reduced down to 10% with a 90-day “pause” on further increases. As a result, basic goods, such as furnature, toys, apparel, and plastics, now face a 30% tariff rate (20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff plus 10% reciprocal tariff). Many goods are exempt from the reciprocal tariff, such as electronics and goods under Section 232 investigations (copper, semiconductors, lumber, and pharmaceuticals), but still face the 20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff. The Section 301 tariffs from Trump's first term remain in place and range between 7.5% and 25%, but stack with the 20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff and the now reduced 10% reciprocal tariff. Unaffected by the reciprocal tariff reduction are goods facing the 25% Section 232 tariffs (autos, steel, and aluminum). See the Tariff Rates by Category table below for more details.

Tariff Product Categories

The following table summarizes the U.S. tariff rates on Chinese imports as of May 12, 2025 for each category. Import shares represent the approximate percentage of U.S. imports from China by category based on 2024 data. The Notes column contains the accounting for each category's tariff rate.

Tariff Rates by Category

CategoryImport ShareCategory DescriptionTariff RateNotes
Electronics27%Smartphones, computers, appliances20%20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff;
Exempt from reciprocal tariff
Basic Goods21%Furniture, apparel, toys, plastics30%20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff +
10% reciprocal tariff
Section 301 (Rounds 1-3)19.5%$250B from Trump's first term +
EVs, syringes, etc. from end of
Biden's term		55%-130%25% Section 301 (Rounds 1-3) +
20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff +
10% reciprocal tariffs +
0-75% additional tariff
Section 301 (Round 4)17%$112B from Trump's first term37.5%7.5% Section 301 (Round 4) +
20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff +
10% reciprocal tariffs
Section 2327.5%Autos, steel, aluminum25%Section 232 tariffs;
Exempt from reciprocal tariff;
Exempt from fentanyl tariff
Section 232 Investigations8%Copper, pharmaceuticals,
semiconductors, lumber		20%20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff;
Exempt from reciprocal tariff
De Minimis*5%Small parcels under $800 value;
E-commerce		54%Imposed in Apr 2025;
Overrides other tariffs

Sources:Reuters,USTR,Trading Economics

*De Minimis tariff applies to small parcels under $800 value (avg. value of a De Minimis parcel in 2024 was $54). Most of these parcels are shipped from e-commerce companies like Temu and Shein, and can contain goods from most other categories. Therefore, the De Minimis tariff rate is applied to all goods in the parcel, rather than the sectoral tariff rate that would otherwise apply.

The average tariff rate on May 12, 2025 was 32.8%, weighted by the import share of each category shown in the table above (and as noted in the line chart above). For comparison, the Yale Budget Lab estimates the effective U.S. tariff rate on Chinese goods to be 33.2% as of May 12, 2025.

Impact on U.S.-China Trade

The trade relationship between the United States and China has seen dramatic fluctuations in 2025, with tariffs first escalating dramatically in April, then significantly reduced in May. The current weighted average tariff rate of approximately 32.8% represents a substantial decrease from the previous level of roughly 100%.

As the Treasury Secretary admits, the prior levels near 100% acted as an embargo on trade with China. However, the new 32.8% rate will cause inflation, as Walmart's CEO stated in their Earnings Call on May 15, 2025. So rather than empty shelves, the U.S. will get higher prices.

The 90-day “pause” announced by Treasury Secretary Bessent establishes clear boundaries for future tariff adjustments. In a Bloomberg interview on May 12, 2025, Bessent clarified the parameters of this new tariff framework:

“Well, it's obviously a floor... they are now with everyone else who did not retaliate. So the levels have come down to the pause level. And what I would say is 34, which is their assigned April 2nd level, would be a ceiling...So, you know, this unfortunate turn of events happened because of retaliation. But now we have a process in place to avoid escalation like that again.”

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Bloomberg Interview, May 12, 2025

According to Bessent's statement, the current 10% reciprocal tariff represents the floor, while the 34% “Liberation Day” level represents the ceiling for future adjustments.

For U.S. businesses and consumers, this means that during the 90-day pause period, the current reduced rates should remain stable. After this period, tariffs will be adjusted based on trade negotiations with China, with the final rate falling somewhere between 10% and 34% for the reciprocal tariff (meaning total tariffs between 30% and 54% for many goods when accounting for the 20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff). So despite the 90-day “pause”, tariffs are at historically high levels and will likely remain at historically high levels well into the future.

Looking Ahead

There are three key areas to watch during the coming months:

  • The renegotiated reciprocal tariff rate (of between 10% and 34%):
    • Scheduled to be completed by August 12, 2025
  • The Section 232 investigations on copper, semiconductors, lumber, and pharmaceuticals, which could result in sector-specific tariffs of 25% (such as the other Section 232 tariffs on autos, steel, and aluminum). Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick must submit these to President Trump by the following dates:
    • Copper investigation due November 2025
    • Lumber investigation due November 2025
    • Semiconductor investigation due January 2026
    • Pharmaceuticals investigation due January 2026
  • The status of the 20% IEEPA/“fentanyl” tariff:
    • Could be reduced back to 10% or 0% if the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. is resolved

Key Tariff Events Timeline

Events listed in reverse chronological order (newest to oldest)

Weighted Avg: 32.8%

Treasury Secretary Bessent announces significant tariff reduction with 90-day "pause"

Weighted Avg: 98.3%

White House fact sheet clarifies "up to 245%" tariffs apply to EVs and syringes/needles

Weighted Avg: 92.3%

US announces electronics from China will only face 20% tariff rate

Weighted Avg: 124.4%

Trump increases reciprocal tariffs to 125% (clarified later as 145% including previous tariffs)

Weighted Avg: 61.5%

"Liberation Day" speech: Trump raises tariffs by 34% (calls them "reciprocal tariffs")

Weighted Avg: 28.2%

Trump announces 25% tariff on all autos and auto parts (Section 232 tariffs)

Weighted Avg: 27.2%

Trump raises levies on Chinese goods by another 10% ("fentanyl" tariffs)

Weighted Avg: 18.4%

Trump increases tariffs on China by 10% ("fentanyl" tariffs)

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 13.8%

Biden administration finalizes tariff increases: 100% on EVs, 50% on solar cells, 25% on EV batteries

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 12.9%

Phase One trade deal takes effect, reducing some tariffs

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 14.3%

New 15% tariffs on about $112 billion of Chinese consumer goods

Weighted Avg: 11.5%

Tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods increased from 10% to 25%

Weighted Avg: 6.5%

Third round of Section 301 tariffs: 10% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 3.1%

Second round of Section 301 tariffs: 25% tariffs on $16 billion of Chinese goods

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 2.4%

First round of Section 301 tariffs: 25% tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese goods

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 1.0%

Trump announces 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminum

Effective Date:

Weighted Avg: 0.2%

Trump announces 20-50% tariffs on solar panels and washing machines

Weighted Avg: 0.2%

Pre-trade war average tariff rate

Methodology and Sources

The tariff data presented on this page is compiled from official U.S. government announcements, including White House fact sheets, U.S. Trade Representative notifications, Treasury Department statements, and public statements from administration officials. The sector-specific breakdown is based on official announcements including the May 12, 2025 tariff reduction announcement by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The proportion of U.S. imports from China in each category is based on 2024 export data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, as well as the breakdowns summarized by Trading Economics.

Data and analysis for this page draws from the following sources:

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