Jan. 20

Hours after he was sworn in, Mr. Trump announced that he would implement additional 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico starting on Feb. 1, accusing both countries of not doing enough to stop the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States.
Jan. 26

Surprising even some of his own staff members, Mr. Trump announced on social media that he would immediately impose 25 percent tariffs on all goods from Colombia — and would raise them to 50 percent in one week — after its government turned back planes carrying deported immigrants. Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, briefly threatened tariffs of his own. But he quickly backed down, and soon so did Mr. Trump. That evening, the White House released a statement saying the government of Colombia had “agreed to all of President Trump’s terms” and the “tariffs and sanctions will be held in reserve.”
Feb. 1

Mr. Trump signed an executive order imposing 25 percent tariffs on nearly all goods from Canada and Mexico, and a 10 percent tariff on China. The president said the tariffs were levied in response to his concerns about fentanyl smuggling and illegal immigration. Canada and Mexico said they would retaliate with tariffs of their own. China threatened “countermeasures.”
Trudeau Announces Retaliatory Tariffs Against the U.S.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada laid out plans to impose more than $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs against the United States, and made clear that Canada was doing so reluctantly.
I want to speak directly to Americans, our closest friends and neighbors. This is a choice that, yes, will harm Canadians, but beyond that, it will have real consequences for you. Tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities. They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery stores and gas at the pump. We don’t want to be here. We didn’t ask for this. But we will not back down in standing up both for Canadians and for the incredible, successful relationship and partnership between Canada and the United States.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada laid out plans to impose more than $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs against the United States, and made clear that Canada was doing so reluctantly.CreditCredit...Justin Tang/The Canadian Press, vía Associated Press
Feb. 2

Facing widespread criticism over his tariff threats and their possible consequences for the economy, Mr. Trump acknowledged the possible negative consequences of the tariffs on social media. “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!),” he said.
Feb. 3

Mr. Trump agreed to a 30-day pause of his tariffs on Mexico and Canada while at the same time threatening new tariffs against the European Union.
Feb. 4

Mr. Trump’s 10 percent tariffs on Chinese imports went into effect, and China responded with a series of retaliatory steps, including additional tariffs on products from the United States.
Feb. 7

Mr. Trump said he would broaden his trade war and introduce reciprocal tariffs on other countries but did not specify which countries would be affected.
Feb. 10

Mr. Trump resurrected a 25 percent tariff on all foreign steel and aluminum, restarting an old fight from his first term.
Feb. 13

Mr. Trump described a plan for broad reciprocal tariffs on America’s trading partners, moves that would represent a dramatic overhaul of the global trading system. The goal, he said, was to force companies to bring manufacturing back to the United States.
Feb. 14

Mr. Trump said he would proceed with a plan to impose unspecified tariffs on foreign cars on April 2. He said he had planned to announce the tariffs April 1, which is April Fools’ Day, but pushed it because he was “a little superstitious.”
Feb. 25

An executive order directed Mr. Trump’s commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, to investigate whether foreign production of copper posed a risk to national security, raising the prospects of tariffs on the material. White House officials did not share how much those tariffs would be, or when the inquiry could conclude.
Feb. 27

The president said the tariffs against Canada and Mexico — and an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods — would go into effect on March 4 “as scheduled.” He said on social media that the action was necessary because “Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels,” a claim not always supported by U.S. government reports.
March 1

Mr. Trump directed Mr. Lutnick to investigate whether imports of lumber threaten American national security. The results of the inquiry could lead to more tariffs on Canada, the largest exporter of wood to the United States.
March 4

Tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China — the largest U.S. trading partners — went into effect. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada responded with tariffs of 25 percent on $155 billion of American goods.
The United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they’re talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense. Canadians are reasonable and we are polite, but we will not back down from a fight. Not when our country and the well-being of everyone in it is at stake. At the moment, the U.S. tariffs came into effect in the early hours of this morning, and so did the Canadian response. Canada will be implementing 25 percent tariffs against $155 billion worth of American goods, starting with tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately, and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion of American products in 21 days time.
The United States
launched a trade war
CreditCredit...CTV, via Associated Press
March 5

Under fire from U.S. automakers, Mr. Trump said he would pause tariffs on cars coming into the United States from Canada and Mexico for one month. The announcement came after he hosted a call with the representatives from General Motors, the Ford Motor Company and Stellantis.
In a news conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico said that if tariffs remained in place, the Mexican government would announce retaliatory measures on March 9.
March 6

Just as they were in Mr. Trump’s first term, many of the tariffs placed on Canadian and Mexican products are suspended. Mr. Trump said that his reversal on tariffs he had framed as vital to America’s security had “nothing to do with the market” after the tariff news sent shock waves through the economy. He said he would still impose 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum on March 12, and that reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners were still on track for April 2.
March 10

The Chinese government began imposing tariffs on many farm products from the United States. The tariffs included an additional 15 percent on American farm products like chicken and corn, and a 10 percent on products like soybeans and fruit.
Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, announced its own tariffs, including a 25 percent surcharge on the electricity exported to Michigan, Minnesota and New York.
March 11

Furious at what he labeled an “abusive threat from Canada,” Mr. Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports in response to the electricity surcharge. Both sides backed down after several hours. Doug Ford, the premier of Ontario, said he would suspend the electricity surcharge, and Mr. Trump said he would “probably” reduce the tariff on Canadian metals.
March 12

The European Union and Canada announced billions of dollars in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods, but European leaders said they would hold back on their tariffs until April 1 — making it clear that they would prefer not to enact them, and would like to negotiate with Mr. Trump instead. “Tariffs are taxes,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm.
March 13

Citing the European Union’s plans for 50 percent tariffs on U.S. whiskey and several other American products, set to kick in on April 1, Mr. Trump floated one of his largest tariff threats to date: a 200 percent charge on all wines, Champagnes and alcoholic products from the E.U.’s member nations.
March 24

Countries who purchase oil from Venezuela — either directly or from a third party — faced tariffs of 25 percent on their exports to the United States, to begin on or after April 2.
March 26

Mr. Trump said he would impose a 25 percent tariffs on all cars and car parts shipped into the United States, including U.S. brands assembled overseas. Read more ›
World Leaders React to Trump’s Auto Tariffs
President Trump’s announcement of 25 percent tariffs on imported cars and auto parts prompted world leaders to rebuke the decision.
“It’s my solemn promise that when President Trump threatens us again, we will fight back. We will fight back with everything we have to get the best deal for Canada.”
President Trump’s announcement of 25 percent tariffs on imported cars and auto parts prompted world leaders to rebuke the decision.CreditCredit...Nic Antaya for The New York Times
April 2

A 10 percent tariff was applied to all nations importing goods to the United States — unless a tariff had already been announced on a product or industry. But that base line 10 percent was to be supplemented in certain cases by additional reciprocal tariffs that vary by nation. That meant dozens of countries, including many U.S. allies, faced tariffs far higher than they expected.
Trump Announces Tariffs on Global Trading Partners
During a news conference, President Trump announced that he would impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on all trading partners, as well as double-digit “reciprocal tariffs” on dozens of other countries.
This is one of the most important days, in my opinion, in American history. It’s our declaration of economic independence. Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country. China — first row, China 67 percent, that’s tariffs charged to the U.S.A., including currency manipulation and trade barriers. So 67 percent, so we’re going to be charging a discounted reciprocal tariff of 34 percent, I think. In other words, they charge us, we charge them. We charge them less. So how can anybody be upset? They will be because we never charge anybody anything. But now we’re going to charge. European Union, they’re very tough, very, very tough traders. You think of European Union, very friendly. They rip us off. It’s so sad to see. It’s going to be “Liberation Day” in America. And it’s going to be a day that hopefully you’re going to look back in years to come and you’re going to say, you know, he was right. This has turned out to be one of the most important days in the history of our country.
Trump Announces Tariffs on Global Trading Partners
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During a news conference, President Trump announced that he would impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on all trading partners, as well as double-digit “reciprocal tariffs” on dozens of other countries.CreditCredit...Doug Mills/The New York Times
April 4

China’s Finance Ministry announced a 34 percent tariff on imports from the United States, matching Mr. Trump’s plans for 34 percent tariffs on exports from China. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce also barred a group of 11 American companies from doing business in China.
April 5

Vietnam asked Mr. Trump to delay imposing tariffs for at least 45 days. The United States is Vietnam’s largest export market, and the 46 percent tariff rate was among the highest any country faced.
April 7


Bangladesh asked for a three-month reprieve before any tariffs would be imposed on its exports to the United States.
Mr. Trump threatened to counter Beijing’s retaliatory tariffs with an additional 50 percent tariff on China. Those tariffs would be additive, meaning that China could face 104 percent taxes on all exports.
Lin Jian, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, accused the United States of “economic bullying” after President Trump threatened an additional 50 percent tariff on Chinese imports.CreditCredit...Associated Press
April 9

Mr. Trump’s punishing tariffs on some of America’s biggest trading partners took effect. Chinese goods were subject to an 104 percent tariff, European goods faced a 20 percent import tax, Japanese goods were taxed 24 percent and Vietnam products 46 percent.
China responded with an additional 50 percent tariff on U.S. goods, meaning all American goods shipped to China faced an additional 84 percent import tax. China’s new tariffs took effect 12 hours after Mr. Trump’s tariffs went into place.
The European Union also approved new tariffs against the United States, to take effect the following week.
Trump Pauses “Reciprocal” Tariffs for Most Countries
President Trump decided to pause his “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries, excluding China, just hours after they went into effect.
“Hello, everybody.” [clapping] “Can you walk us through your thinking about why you decided to put a 90-day pause.” “Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting yippy, you know. They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid.” “Well, I’m not calling it a trade war, but I am saying that China has escalated, and President Trump responded very courageously to that. And we are going to work on a solution with our trading partners. You might even say that he goaded China into a bad position. They responded — they have shown themselves to the world to be the bad actors. And we are willing to cooperate with our allies and with our trading partners who did not retaliate. It wasn’t a hard message. Don’t retaliate. Things will turn out well.“ [unclear] “I’ll take a look at this. As time goes by, we’re going to take a look at it. There are some that have been hard. There are some that, by the nature of the company, get hit a little bit harder. And we’ll take a look at that.“ [unclear] “Just instinctively, more than anything else. I mean, you almost can’t take a pencil to paper. It’s really more of an instinct, I think, than anything else.“
Trump Pauses “Reciprocal” Tariffs for Most Countries
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President Trump decided to pause his “reciprocal” tariffs on most countries, excluding China, just hours after they went into effect.CreditCredit...Eric Lee/The New York Times
… later on April 9

In an abrupt reversal, Mr. Trump said he would back down on his reciprocal tariffs for the next 90 days, bringing tariff levels to a universal 10 percent.
China would not be included in that pause, he said. Instead, he raised tariffs on its exports to 125 percent after Beijing announced a new round of retaliation.
April 10


The White House clarified that the 125 percent tariff on Chinese goods was in addition to a 20 percent tariff that Mr. Trump had already imposed on China, bringing the total tariffs on China imposed by the Trump administration to 145 percent.
The European Union announced a plan to pause its own reciprocal tariffs in response to Mr. Trump’s reversal.
April 11

Mr. Trump issued a ruling that spared many electronics — including smartphones, computers, semiconductors and routes and modems — from some new tariffs. The long list of imports, which include Chinese products, would be exempt from reciprocal tariffs, but other levies would still apply.
April 13

The electronics exceptions announced on April 11 were recast as temporary by Mr. Trump and his top aides. Mr. Trump said he would be pursuing new tariffs on computer chips.
April 29

Mr. Trump signed two executive orders that reversed course on some tariffs for carmakers. The 25 percent tariffs were modified so they would not be “stacked” with other tariffs such as those on steel and aluminum, a White House official said.
U.S. and British Leaders Celebrate Agreement on Trade Framework
President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an agreement for a trade framework over speaker phone.
“With this deal, the U.K. joins the United States in affirming that reciprocity and fairness is an essential and vital principle of international trade. We really do, we have a great relationship. I want to just say that the representatives of U.K. have been so professional, and it’s been an honor doing business with all of them, and in particular the prime minister. And I’d like to introduce him now to say a few words. Mr. Prime Minister, please take it away.” “Thank you, Mr. President — Donald — and this is a really fantastic historic day in which we can announce this deal between our two great countries. And I think it’s a real tribute to the history that we have of working so closely together.”
U.S. and British Leaders Celebrate Agreement on Trade Framework
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President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an agreement for a trade framework over speaker phone.CreditCredit...Eric Lee/The New York Times
May 8

The United States and Britain reached a deal that would reduce tariffs on some imports. Under the agreement, Britain would drop its tariffs on some U.S. products and the United States would pare back tariffs on cars and steel, while keeping a 10 percent levy in place for all British exports. But the deal has not been finalized, and there could be weeks of negotiations to come.
May 12

The White House agreed to back off, for now, from its steepest tariffs against China. Under the agreement, the United States would cut tariffs on Chinese imports to 30 percent from 145 percent, and China would reduce its levies on American goods to 10 percent from 125 percent.
May 23

In a post on social media, Mr. Trump threatened higher tariffs on the European Union, saying that discussions “are going nowhere.” He recommended a 50 percent tariff on European imports that would begin June 1.
May 25

After a phone call with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, Mr. Trump said he would delay imposing his threatened 50 percent tariffs on all imports from the European Union until July 9 to allow more time for trade negotiations.