TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China has retaliated with tariffs on U.S. imports following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. This rapid escalation in tariffs echoes the trade tensions seen during Trump’s first term and continued into President Joe Biden’s administration.
Within weeks of Trump’s return to the White House, he imposed 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports, which is expected to impact prices on various goods. In response, China implemented tariffs on coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, agricultural machinery, and cars from the U.S. Additionally, China launched an anti-monopoly probe into Google and added U.S. fashion brands to its “unreliable entity” list, while also restricting the export of key metals.
Amidst the rising tensions, recalling past trade disputes between the two countries, here are key moments from their ongoing trade conflict:
– March 2017: Trump initiates tighter tariff enforcement against countries to reduce trade deficits.
– April 2017: Initial trade talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping fail to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China.
– August 2017: Trump launches investigation into Chinese intellectual property theft.
– January 2018: U.S. imposes tariffs on imported solar panels, primarily from China.
– April 2018: Beijing retaliates with tariffs on U.S. imports, sparking further retaliatory tariffs from the U.S.
– June-August 2018: Several rounds of tariffs are exchanged between the two nations.
– December 2018-May 2019: Negotiations fail to resolve trade issues, leading to increased tariffs by the U.S.
– May 2019: U.S. bans Huawei from buying components.
– June 2019: Trump and Xi agree to resume trade talks with challenges in subsequent months.
– January 2020: U.S. and China sign Phase One trade deal, with China pledging to purchase additional U.S. goods.
In October 2022, it was discovered by a research group that China had failed to honor its commitment to purchase goods and services over the next two years, despite having made promises to do so. President Biden, who had maintained most of the tariffs put in place by his predecessor, Donald Trump, proceeded to implement new stringent restrictions on the sale of semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China. These restrictions were set to be broadened in both October 2023 and December 2024.
By February 2024, while on the campaign trail, Trump declared his intention to impose tariffs of at least 60% on all imports from China in the event of securing a second term in office. In May 2024, President Biden decided to escalate tariffs on various Chinese products such as electric vehicles, solar cells, steel, aluminum, and medical equipment.
Then, on February 4, 2025, a new set of 10% tariffs on all imports from China into the United States was enforced. In response, China swiftly retaliated by announcing a series of countermeasures targeting American coal, liquefied natural gas, and agricultural machinery.
