--- description: Here are all the tariffs, counter-tariffs, dealmaking, and deal-breaking between the world’s two biggest economies. title: A Timeline of the U.S.-China Trade War During Trump’s Second Term image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltb321129d3dd4b191/6998b31c83ec37ced5c786c7/us-china-trade-war-counter-tariffs.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [trade](/tag/trade/) ## trade Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # A Timeline of the U.S.-China Trade War So Far  by [Chad de Guzman](/author/chad-de-guzman/)  ## Chad de Guzman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Updated: Jun 27, 2025 9:25 AM CUTPublished: Jun 9, 2025 9:55 AM CUT  concept photo for China-USA trade war conflict concept photo for China-USA trade war conflictGetty Images  by [Chad de Guzman](/author/chad-de-guzman/)  ## Chad de Guzman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Updated: Jun 27, 2025 9:25 AM CUTPublished: Jun 9, 2025 9:55 AM CUT After months of turmoil since U.S. President Donald Trump reignited his trade war with China, a deal between the world’s two biggest economies could be on the verge of pacifying [globally upended markets and supply chains](https://time.com/7275987/trump-tariffs-global-economy-recession-trade-war-asia-world-impacts/ "undefined"). Details for now remain scant, and a previous trade truce quickly fell apart after both sides accused the other of failing to keep to their agreements. While it’s not yet clear where things could go next, it may be valuable to take stock of how we got here. Through tariffs and counter-tariffs, dealmaking and deal-breaking, here’s a timeline of the U.S. and China’s tumultuous trade relations since the start of Trump’s second term. ### February 1 Trump [signed](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/imposing-duties-to-address-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ "undefined") an executive order increasing tariffs on imported goods from China by 10%, to take effect on Feb. 4\. The order aimed to curb the import of fentanyl into the country. Tariffs of 25% were imposed on Canada and Mexico for similar reasons. The order also ended the [_de minimis_ exemption](https://time.com/6695469/temu-shein-de-minimis/ "undefined") for Chinese goods, whereby small items valued at $800 or less and shipped directly to U.S. consumers were exempted from customs declarations and duties. The Trump Administration argued that the rule contributed to the entry of fentanyl and illegal drugs into the U.S. ### February 4 China’s Ministry of Finance [announced](https://www.mof.gov.cn/zhengwuxinxi/caizhengxinwen/202502/t20250204%5F3955222.htm "undefined") it would impose, effective Feb. 10, a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement cars, and pickup trucks. The same day, China’s Commerce Ministry [announced](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/zwgk/zcfb/art/2025/art%5Fe623090907fc4e1092f0a4db72f57b95.html "undefined") export controls on a number of rare-earth minerals, including bismuth, indium, molybdenum, tungsten, and tellurium items that can be used in various industries like electronics or munitions manufacturing, saying there was a need “to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation.” ### February 5 In an amendment to his previous order, Trump [said](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/amendment-to-duties-addressing-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ "undefined") that eligible packages will have _de minimis_ exemptions until “adequate systems are in place to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue.” ### February 10 Trump issued a [proclamation](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/adjusting-imports-of-steel-into-the-united-states/ "undefined") announcing _ad valorem_ tariffs on steel imports. Aluminum imports are also increased from 10% to 25%. In the proclamation, Trump said exports of steel from China have increased, “displacing production in other countries and forcing them to export greater volumes of steel articles and derivative steel articles to the United States.” ### February 27 Trump [signed](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/america-first-investment-policy/ "undefined") a memorandum directing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to restrict investors with links to China from investing in U.S. technology, critical infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, energy, raw materials, and other strategic sectors. ### March 3 Trump [raised](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/further-amendment-to-duties-addressing-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ "undefined") tariffs on Chinese goods to 20%. ### March 4 China’s Ministry of Finance [responded](https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202503/t20250304%5F3959228.htm "undefined") with a 15% tariff on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, and a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. China’s Ministry of Commerce [also](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/syxwfb/art/2025/art%5F77034b7776ad43dda542bd6af0c77e0d.html "undefined") sued the U.S. over the March 3 tariffs through the World Trade Organization’s dispute settlement mechanism. **Read More:** [_Viewing Trump’s Trade War From the World’s Shopping Mall in China_](https://time.com/7272434/trump-trade-war-us-tariffs-china-yiwu-market/ "undefined") ### April 2 Trump unveiled his “[Liberation Day](https://time.com/7274195/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-world-responses-china-eu-countries-leaders-countermeasures/ "undefined")” universal tariffs, which included an additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods on top of the existing 20% tariff rate, bringing the total tariff on Chinese goods to 54%. He also signed an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/further-amendment-to-duties-addressing-the-synthetic-opioid-supply-chain-in-the-peoples-republic-of-china-as-applied-to-low-value-imports/ "undefined") once again ending the _de minimis_ exemption for packages from mainland China and Hong Kong, saying the previously absent “adequate systems” to process and collect tariff revenue for affected parcels were “now in place.” ### April 4 China’s Ministry of Finance [retaliated](https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202504/t20250404%5F3961451.htm "undefined") with a 34% tariff on all imports from the U.S, starting April 10. On the same day, China’s Ministry of Commerce [announced](https://aqygzj.mofcom.gov.cn/flzc/gzjgfxwj/art/2025/art%5Ff3a1432ba20248eca12ff7b91bc73fda.html "undefined") that it would require companies to apply for a license before exporting seven types of rare earths: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium. **Read More:** [_Why China Laughs at the Idea of Americans Taking Their Manufacturing Jobs_](https://time.com/7277920/china-manufacturing-us-trump-factory-workers-ai-videos-social-media/ "undefined") ### April 8 Following up on an [earlier threat](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114297331052690348 "undefined") to escalate tit-for-tat tariffs, Trump issued an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/amendment-to-recipricol-tariffs-and-updated-duties-as-applied-to-low-value-imports-from-the-peoples-republic-of-china/ "undefined") effectively raising the tariffs on imported goods from China to 104%. ### April 9 China again [hiked](https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202504/t20250409%5F3961684.htm "undefined") its tariffs on U.S. imports from 34% to 84%. Hours later, Trump [responded](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114309144289505174 "undefined") to China’s latest hike on Truth Social, saying: “Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately.” This [brought](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/modifying-reciprocal-tariff-rates-to-reflect-trading-partner-retaliation-and-alignment/ "undefined") the total tariff rate on China’s exports to the U.S. to 145%. In the same post, Trump also announced a 90-day reduction of his universal tariffs on other countries to 10%. **Read More:** [_‘Nothing Is Certain but Uncertainty’: How the World Is Reacting to Trump’s Tariff Reversal_](https://time.com/7276293/trump-tariffs-reversal-world-leaders-countries-responses-uncertainty-trade-war/ "undefined") ### April 11 China’s Ministry of Finance [adjusted](https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202504/t20250411%5F3961823.htm "undefined") its tariff rate against U.S. exports to 125% but said: “If the U.S. continues to impose tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the U.S., China will ignore it.” Trump, in an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/clarification-of-exceptions-under-executive-order-14257-of-april-2-2025-as-amended/ "undefined"), said the U.S. was removing reciprocal tariffs on a range of electronics products and parts, including from China. Electronics from China, however, remained subject to the 20% tariff on Chinese goods. ### May 12 Chinese and U.S. officials, in a [meeting in Geneva](https://time.com/7284765/us-china-trade-war-pause/ "undefined"), came to an agreement to temporarily reduce reciprocal tariffs by 115% starting May 14\. The effective tariff rate on Chinese imports was reduced to 30%, while the Chinese tariff rate on American goods was reduced to 10%. The deal also included a 90-day pause on other trade barriers and [another amendment to the _de minimis_ rules](https://time.com/7285316/us-china-trump-tariff-rates-de-minimis-low-value-imports/ "undefined") for low-value shipments from China. **Read More:** [_How Trump’s Tariff Unpredictability Hurts Businesses and Consumers—and Could Help China_](https://time.com/7286933/trump-trade-war-us-china-tariff-pause-businesses-costs-uncertainty/ "undefined") ### May 28 The U.S. Court of International Trade in New York [ruled](https://time.com/7289394/trump-tariffs-uscit-court-international-trade-ruling-appeal-reactions-explainer/ "undefined") that Trump did not have the authority to impose sweeping tariffs, including some imposed on China. The Trump Administration swiftly appealed the ruling. ### May 30 Trump accused China of reneging on the deal made in Geneva, [posting](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114596705340367716 "undefined") on Truth Social: “I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didn’t want to see that happen. Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy! That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Trump Administration officials [would later reveal](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scott-bessent-treasury-secretary-face-the-nation-06-01-2025/ "undefined") that China did not ease its restrictions on rare earth exports as was supposedly a part of the deal. **Read More:** [_How Rare Earths Are Playing a Pivotal Role in the U.S.-China Trade War_](https://time.com/7275818/rare-earth-china-tariffs-metals-minerals/ "undefined") ### June 2 China’s Ministry of Commerce [reacted](https://www.mofcom.gov.cn/xwfb/xwfyrth/art/2025/art%5F6b2d4a2b91644a8ca0284867769a9713.html "undefined") to accusations that it went back on its word. “After the Geneva economic and trade talks, the United States has successively introduced a number of discriminatory restrictive measures against China, including issuing export control guidelines for AI chips, stopping the sale of chip design software (EDA) to China, and announcing the revocation of Chinese student visas,” a spokesperson said. “These practices seriously violate the consensus reached by the two heads of state on January 17, seriously undermine the existing consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and seriously damage China's legitimate rights and interests.” ### June 5 Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their [much-anticipated](https://time.com/7291016/trump-xi-phone-call-us-china-trade-tariffs-direct-negotiation "undefined") first [direct phone call](https://time.com/7291416/trump-and-xi-have-first-call-in-months/ "undefined") in months. According [to Trump](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114631295762726849 "undefined"), the call lasted for around 90 minutes, where they discussed “some of the intricacies of our recently made, and agreed to, Trade Deal.” ### June 6 Trump [announced](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114637838750311907 "undefined") on Truth Social that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will represent the U.S. in trade talks in London beginning June 9\. “The meeting should go very well,” Trump posted. ### June 10 Following two days of “in depth and candid” talks in London, U.S. and Chinese negotiators “agreed in principle” to a framework for “implementing the consensus” between Trump and Xi June 5 call as well as previous talks between their delegations in Geneva, [said](https://x.com/ChineseEmbinUS/status/1932636893457358923 "undefined") Li Chenggang, China’s international trade representative. “The two largest economies in the world have reached a handshake for a framework,” [said](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2025-06-11/us-china-agree-on-framework-to-implement-geneva-deal-video "undefined") U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “We’re going to start to implement that framework upon the approval of President Trump, and the Chinese will get their President Xi’s approval, and that’s the process.” Lutnick recognized that the two countries have “lots of complex issues” but said they “pounded through all of them.” He called the framework agreement “the first step” toward building a trade relationship that is “beneficial to both” sides: “First we had to get sort of the negativity out, and now we can go forward to try to do positive trade.” ### June 11 Trump, [posted](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114664632971715644 "undefined") on Truth Social: “OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME. FULL MAGNETS, AND ANY NECESSARY RARE EARTHS, WILL BE SUPPLIED, UP FRONT, BY CHINA. LIKEWISE, WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!). WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%. RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!” **Read More:**[_How Trump’s Crackdown on International Students Could Escalate Trade Tensions With China_](https://time.com/7289945/us-china-trump-rubio-international-student-visa-restrictions-trade-negotiations/ "undefined") He [added](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114664867178522750 "undefined"): “President XI and I are going to work closely together to open up China to American Trade. This would be a great WIN for both countries!!!” A White House official told [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-china-trade-talks-resume-second-day-2025-06-10/ "undefined") that the 55% rate represents the baseline 10% tariff Trump has imposed on goods imported from nearly every country plus an additional 20% tariff on Chinese, Mexican, and Canadian imports related to an order about fentanyl on top of 25% levies on imports from China imposed during Trump’s first term. Lutnick told [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/11/first-on-cnbc-transcript-united-states-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnick-speaks-with-cnbcs-money-movers-today.html "undefined") that the 55% rate would “definitely” not see further changes. Speaking at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Trump said: “We made a great deal with China. We’re very happy with it. We have everything we need and we’re gonna do very well with it.” JL MAG Rare-Earth, a Chinese rare-earths magnet producer, announced the same day that it had received export licenses for rare earths products to the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, [Reuters reported](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/jl-mag-rare-earth-says-it-obtained-export-licenses-rare-earth-products-us-europe-2025-06-11/ "undefined"). The company didn’t reveal when the licenses were granted, which it applied for after China expanded its export control list in April. **Read More:** [_Trump Wants Rare Earths. But Challenging China’s Dominance Will Take More Than Tariffs_](https://time.com/7294964/us-rare-earths-minerals-china-dominance-trump-tariffs/ "undefined") ### June 26 Trump [announced](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/nx-s1-5448577/trump-us-china-trade-rare-earths "undefined") that the U.S. and China have signed an agreement on trade, though he did not mention any specifics. Lutnick, [speaking to Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-26/us-china-have-finalized-tariff-understanding-lutnick-says "undefined"), said the deal was “signed and sealed” two days earlier. “They’re going to deliver rare earths to us,” he said, adding that the U.S. will “take down our countermeasures” once Beijing does. ### June 27 China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that a deal has been reached between the two countries. It [said](https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3316076/china-us-finalise-trade-deal-beijing-confirms-breakthrough-talks?module=top%5Fstory&pgtype=homepage "undefined") that it would “review and approve export applications for controlled items” as the U.S. will “correspondingly lift a series of restrictive measures against China.” Specifics remain to be outlined. 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