Tariff measures affecting China

Tariffs on Chinese goods imposed in February 2025 over fentanyl trafficking: 10% at first, raised to 20% in March 2025, then cut back to 10% in November 2025 under the U.S.–China trade truce. The Supreme Court's February 2026 IEEPA ruling voided them entirely. As of June 2026 Washington and Beijing have discussed restoring equivalent tariffs under other authorities, but nothing has been formalized.

The original China tariffs: 25% on roughly $250B of imports (Lists 1–3) and 7.5% on List 4A, in force since 2018–2020, plus the 2024 four-year-review increases on strategic sectors — including 100% on EVs, 50% on solar cells and semiconductors, and 25% on lithium-ion batteries. These survived the IEEPA ruling untouched and remain the bedrock of U.S.–China tariff exposure. USTR initiated a second statutory four-year review in May 2026.

Current rate: 25% (Lists 1–3); 7.5% (List 4A); strategic-sector increases incl. 100% EVs, 50% solar cells and semiconductors, 25% lithium-ion batteries

Exclusions that exempt specific products — mostly machinery and manufacturing inputs — from Section 301 China tariffs. As part of the November 2025 trade truce they were extended through November 10, 2026. Importers relying on an exclusion face a hard repricing if it lapses with the truce.

Current rate: 0% additional duty for excluded products (otherwise 25%)

The May 2025 Geneva agreement suspended the triple-digit escalation between the U.S. and China; the November 2025 Kuala Lumpur arrangement extended the suspension through November 10, 2026, leaving a 10% reciprocal rate in place. The Supreme Court's February 2026 ruling voided the underlying IEEPA tariffs, but the truce still frames negotiations: as of June 2026 both sides have discussed terms for restoring tariffs under other authorities, and the truce's expiry remains the pivotal date in U.S.–China trade.

Current rate: Heightened reciprocal rates suspended; 10% rate remained during suspension (voided Feb 2026)

In October 2025, after China announced new rare-earth export controls, the president threatened an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese goods effective November 1, 2025. No executive order, Federal Register notice, or CBP guidance ever followed: the threat was defused weeks later by the Kuala Lumpur truce. A textbook example of why signal strength matters — importers who repriced on the headline alone absorbed costs for a measure that never existed.

Threatened rate: Additional 100% on all Chinese goods (announced for November 1, 2025)

After the Supreme Court voided the IEEPA tariffs in February 2026, Washington and Beijing have reportedly agreed on terms for restoring equivalent U.S. tariffs under other legal authorities — but as of June 2026 nothing has been formalized, and an extension of the November truce remains unresolved. Watch for a Federal Register notice; until one exists, no compliance action is required.

Threatened rate: Restoration of roughly the pre-ruling cumulative China rate under Section 301/232/122 authorities

Hours after the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, the administration imposed a 10% global import surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 122 caps such surcharges at 150 days unless Congress extends them, so the surcharge expires July 24, 2026 by statute. The Court of International Trade ruled the surcharge unlawful on May 7, 2026; the government has appealed and duties are still being collected while the appeal proceeds.

Current rate: 10% ad valorem on most imports, all origins

The April 2025 'Liberation Day' executive order imposed a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all imports plus higher country-specific rates. After a year of pauses, extensions, and litigation, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 on February 20, 2026 that IEEPA does not authorize tariffs, voiding the entire program. Duties already paid — industry estimates run as high as $175 billion — are potentially refundable; the administration replaced part of the program with a Section 122 surcharge the same day.

National-security tariffs on steel, in place since 2018 and sharply expanded in 2025–26: the rate doubled to 50% in June 2025, country exemptions ended, the duty base now covers the full customs value of derivative articles, and hundreds of downstream products were added. A 15% transitional rate for certain metal-intensive equipment runs through December 31, 2027. Unaffected by the Supreme Court's IEEPA ruling.

Current rate: 50% on steel articles and most derivatives; 15% transitional rate for certain metal-intensive equipment

National-security tariffs on aluminum, expanded in lockstep with steel: 50% since June 2025 for all origins, derivative coverage broadened repeatedly, duties assessed on full customs value since April 2026, and a 15% transitional rate for certain equipment through December 31, 2027. Unaffected by the Supreme Court's IEEPA ruling.

Current rate: 50% on aluminum articles and most derivatives; 15% transitional rate for certain metal-intensive equipment

50% tariffs on semi-finished copper and copper-intensive derivative products, effective August 2025 — the first Section 232 action on copper. The regime was folded into the unified metals framework in 2026: expanded coverage in April, further adjustments and a 15% transitional rate for certain categories in June, running through December 31, 2027.

Current rate: 50% on semi-finished copper and most derivatives; some categories at 25% or the 15% transitional rate

25% tariffs on imported passenger vehicles and light trucks since April 2025, extended to key auto parts in May 2025. USMCA-qualifying vehicles are tariffed only on non-U.S. content, and an import-adjustment offset phases down support for U.S. assemblers. Unaffected by the IEEPA ruling.

Current rate: 25% on passenger vehicles, light trucks, and listed auto parts

25% tariffs on imported medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts, and 10% on buses, effective November 1, 2025 under a Section 232 national-security finding.

Current rate: 25% on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and parts; 10% on buses

A narrowly targeted 25% tariff on advanced semiconductors above defined performance thresholds (high-end AI accelerators and their derivative assemblies), effective January 15, 2026. Broad exemptions cover U.S. data centers, startups, R&D, and public-sector uses. The measure followed months of much broader verbal threats — up to '100% on all chips' — that were never formalized at that scope.

Current rate: 25% on semiconductors above defined performance thresholds and derivative products

The April 2026 proclamation imposes a default 100% tariff on patented pharmaceuticals and ingredients, with carve-outs: 15% for the EU, Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland; 10% for the UK; 20% (falling to 0% with an MFN pricing deal) for companies with approved U.S. onshoring plans. Generics are excluded for now. Duties start July 31, 2026 for companies listed in Annex III and September 29, 2026 for everyone else — these are the next major compliance deadlines in pharma supply chains.

Current rate: Not yet collected

Tariffs on softwood timber and lumber (10%) and on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities (25% and up), effective October 14, 2025, with scheduled escalations for furniture categories and country-deal carve-outs added by amendment in January 2026.

Current rate: 10% on softwood timber and lumber; 25%+ on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities