A complete chronology of the 2025 U.S.-China trade tensions (updated)
- Rick Dunham
- Aug 25
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
By RICK DUNHAM
Co-director, Global Business Journalism program
The following timeline is part of a series of stories on the Global Business Journalism website designed to help business journalists cover international trade issues. For our economic tipsheet homepage, click here.
📊 2025 U.S.–China Tariff Escalation Timeline 🇺🇸 🇨🇳
January 20, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump is re-inaugurated for a second term.
February 1, 2025
Trump announces a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective February 4, citing a “national emergency” tied to fentanyl trafficking.
February 4, 2025
China retaliates with:
15% tariffs on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
10% tariffs on U.S. crude oil, agricultural machinery, and high-end cars.
Investigations of U.S. companies and new export-control measures.
March 3, 2025
The United States increases tariffs on Chinese goods by an additional 10%, bringing the total to 20%. Rates on Canada and Mexico are also raised.
March 4, 2025
China imposes:
15% tariffs on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton.
10% tariffs on U.S. sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
April 2, 2025
In a “Liberation Day” speech, Trump announces an additional 34% tariff on Chinese goods, citing China’s “67% trade barriers.” The total U.S. rate on China rises to 54%.
April 4, 2025
China responds with a 34% tariff on all U.S. goods, effective April 10, and introduces rare-earth export restrictions.
April 9, 2025
U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods rise to 145%.
April 12, 2025
China escalates its tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
May 10, 2025
Chinese and American officials meet in Geneva, Switzerland, in an attempt to defuse trade tensions.
May 12, 2025
Negotiators announce a 90-day ceasefire, including a 10% Chinese tariff on U.S. goods and a 30% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods. Talks will continue toward a long-term agreement.
June 9, 2025
New trade discussions begin in London, focusing on rare-earth export licensing.
Late July 2025
Further negotiations in Stockholm, Sweden, lead to an agreement to extend the trade “ceasefire.”
August 11, 2025
Trump signs an executive order delaying a sweeping tariff increase for 90 days. Both sides agree to extend the truce. The U.S. grants export licenses to chipmakers Nvidia and AMD. China offers relief to some U.S. firms.
August 12, 2025
Washington and Beijing formally extend the tariff truce by 90 days, holding rates at approximately 30% on Chinese imports and 10% on U.S. goods. The next deadline is set for mid-November.
September 2025
China tightens rare-earth magnet export licenses, lengthening approval times and reducing quotas. Exports of rare earth elements fall sharply as new controls take effect.
October 10, 2025
President Trump announces an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective November 1, and threatens to cancel a planned late-October meeting with President Xi unless Beijing rolls back export restrictions. Global markets fall on the news.
October 10, 2025 (late evening)
Chinese media report tightened port inspections of U.S. chip imports, including AI processors from Nvidia and AMD, as part of Beijing’s “national security compliance review.”
October 12, 2025
China’s Ministry of Commerce defends rare-earth controls as lawful and “consistent with international rules,” criticizing the U.S. tariff threat while signaling openness to continued negotiation.
October 13, 2025
Despite Trump's October 10 threat, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirms plans for a Trump–Xi meeting in late October in South Korea, saying both sides are “working to stabilize markets and maintain dialogue.”
October 14, 2025
Industry reports show China is further tightening rare-earth magnet export approvals, requiring additional documentation and extending processing times. Analysts see the move as leverage ahead of the next round of trade talks. Treasury Secretary Bessent accuses China of trying to damage the global economy for its own geopolitical advantage.
🇺🇸 🇨🇳 U.S.–China Trade Tensions at a Glance
Timeframe | U.S. Tariffs | Chinese Response | Outcome |
Feb.–March | 10% → 20% | Selective retaliatory tariffs | Escalating trade conflict |
Early April | Up to 145% (cumulative) | Matched increases to 84–125% | Peak hostilities |
Mid-May | Truce: U.S. lowers to 30% | China lowers to 10% | Temporary calm |
Summer–Aug. | Truce extended after negotiations | Export relief on chips; rare-earth issue remains | Pause in escalation |
Sept.–Oct. | Threat of 100% tariff from Nov. 1 | Tightens export controls and port checks | Renewed tensions ahead of leader summit |
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