A blockbuster court ruling last week put in doubt President Donald Trump's authority to impose international trade tariffs. But even before the ruling, Trump's trade war had, to some degree, cooled.
The U.S. has so far managed to complete few long-term trade deals, and many remain bound up in negotiations. Multiple shifts in policy make for a complex mosaic of different tariffs for different trade partners. Some tariffs were already in place before the fresh volley of "Trump tariffs" launched by the president in the first few months of his term.
Here's the latest on proposed and imposed tariffs from the Trump administration and the legal challenges to the levies.
Latest Moves
Over the weekend, the U.S. and China traded accusations of breaking their May truce. U.S. officials criticized China for slow approval of rare-earths minerals exports. China, in turn, said the U.S. imposed multiple "discriminatory and restrictive measures" against China.
Trump raised tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50% to protect domestic producers. The increase went into effect Wednesday. The president made the announcement late Friday at a rally in support of a deal with Nippon Steel that keeps control of U.S. Steel in American hands, Trump said.
Late on May 28, the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down President Donald Trump's tariffs, saying he had no authority to impose tariffs on nearly all imports.
The three-judge panel said Trump should not use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 to impose tariffs. An appeals court left the tariffs in place pending a review.
The ruling leaves in doubt trade negotiations with multiple countries and deals with the U.K. and China.
In a separate ruling May 29, a U.S. District Judge ruled the administration cannot collect tariffs from two toy importers based in Illinois. The companies argue Trump cannot impose tariffs using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
On May 23, Trump threatened a 50% tariff on imports from the European Union, saying tariff negotiations were not progressing enough. Trump expressed frustration with Europe's nontariff barriers, regulations and lawsuits against U.S. companies.
The tariffs were initially set to go into effect June 1. But over the weekend Trump delayed EU tariffs until July 9 after speaking with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. And on May 26, the EU agreed to fast-track talks with the U.S.
Trump also on May 23 threatened a 25% tariff on Apple's iPhones, saying the smartphones should be made in the U.S. Most iPhone production is in China, but Apple is moving some capacity to India.
Canada And Mexico Tariffs
Citing the flow of undocumented workers and fentanyl into the U.S., Trump had earlier ordered a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports. Those became effective Feb. 1.
In addition, a 10% tariff was placed specifically on Canadian potash and energy products.
Products that fall under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA) are exempt.
In retaliation, Canada set a 25% tariff on U.S.-made vehicles and other imports. Mexico so far has not retaliated with tariffs but hasn't ruled them out.
Trump Tariffs On China
On May 12, the U.S. and China announced a truce in which both countries agreed to cut the tariffs that had been launched in April, while working on a long-term trade deal.
The U.S. cut extra tariffs it imposed on Chinese imports in April this year to 30% from 145%. China dropped its duties on U.S. imports to 10% from 125% for 90 days. While other retaliatory tariffs were canceled, the U.S. left in place punitive tariffs aimed at combating fentanyl. Tariffs that predate Trump's current levies also remain in place.
U.K. Trade Agreement
On May 8, the Trump administration and U.K. leaders agreed on a framework for a long-term trade deal.
U.K. steel and aluminum will be exempt from the 25% tariff. Trump also lowered U.K. car tariffs to 10% from 25% for the first 100,000 vehicles.
The U.K. agreed to buy Boeing planes and cut tariffs on some U.S. beef imports from 20% to zero. Britain also agreed to cut tariffs on ethanol.
The blanket 10% tariffs on imports from countries around the world still applies to most U.K. goods.
Reciprocal Tariffs For Most Countries
President Trump imposed a so-called reciprocal 10% tariff on most countries that went into effect in April. Those remain in effect even after the U.S. paused most tariffs for 90 days.
Trump also plans to impose an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on countries with which the U.S. has the largest trade deficits.
Industry-Specific Tariffs
A 25% import tax on all steel and aluminum imports (except for imports from the UK), including products made from those metals, took effect March 12.
The April 2 "Liberation Day" announcement slapped a 25% levy on foreign-made cars. It also extended those duties to imported engines and other car parts.
On 29 April, President Trump adjusted auto tariffs to relieve the burden on U.S. automakers through a so-called import adjustment offset.
On April 11, Trump issued a rule exempting China-made smartphones, computers and semiconductors from reciprocal tariffs. Those imports, however, remain under the 20% levy on China-made products imposed as a punishment for fentanyl trafficking.
On May 4, Trump suggested a 100% tariff on foreign films to boost the U.S. movie industry. Some film executives disagreed.
Current Tariffs In Place
Fitch Ratings is tracking the effective tariff rates for all countries. This is their latest compilation, as of May 21.
| Country | Tariff rate |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 11.9% |
| China | 28.4% |
| Canada | 10.8% |
| Germany | 10.9% |
| Japan | 13.5% |
| Vietnam | 7.7% |
| South Korea | 13.0% |
| Taiwan | 4.5% |
| Ireland | 1.8% |
| India | 7.6% |
| Italy | 9.2% |
| United Kingdom | 10.1% |
| Thailand | 7.7% |
| Switzerland | 5.7% |
| France | 8.9% |
| Malaysia | 5.8% |
| Singapore | 3.3% |
| Brazil | 6.9% |
| Netherlands | 5.0% |
| Indonesia | 9.2% |
| Belgium | 4.5% |
| Israel | 6.3% |
| Spain | 8.8% |
| Sweden | 11.5% |
| Colombia | 5.2% |
| Austria | 9.6% |
| Turkey | 10.1% |
| Australia | 7.9% |
| Chile | 4.9% |
| South Africa | 8.6% |
| Philippines | 6.8% |
| Poland | 10.3% |
| Cambodia | 10.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 1.6% |
| Hungary | 8.3% |
| Costa Rica | 8.2% |
| Denmark | 7.6% |
| Peru | 7.3% |
| Ecuador | 5.2% |
| Bangladesh | 10.0% |
| Slovakia | 21.7% |
| Czechia (Czech Republic) | 9.3% |
| Finland | 7.2% |
| Dominican Republic | 9.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | 7.2% |
| Iraq | 0.0% |
| Argentina | 5.0% |
| Portugal | 6.1% |
| Norway | 6.0% |
| Slovenia | 1.9% |
| Venezuela | 0.4% |
| Hong Kong | 5.1% |
| Nigeria | 0.7% |
| New Zealand | 9.2% |
| Honduras | 9.7% |
| Guyana | 0.1% |
| Pakistan | 9.8% |
| Guatemala | 9.7% |
| Nicaragua | 9.1% |
| Romania | 9.9% |
| Jordan | 9.6% |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 4.5% |
| Sri Lanka | 10.5% |
| Russia | 3.2% |
| Egypt | 9.8% |
| Algeria | 1.6% |
| Kazakhstan | 1.2% |
| El Salvador | 9.2% |
| Greece | 9.4% |
| Lithuania | 7.3% |
| Morocco | 9.3% |
| Angola | 0.7% |
| Qatar | 3.1% |
| Bahamas | 1.2% |
| Kuwait | 0.1% |
| Bulgaria | 8.7% |
| Libya | 0.0% |
| Oman | 9.1% |
| Uruguay | 9.0% |
| Bahrain | 8.8% |
| Ukraine | 9.6% |
| Ghana | 3.1% |
| Tunisia | 10.2% |
| Iceland | 7.1% |
| Estonia | 6.7% |
| Côte d`Ivoire | 8.1% |
| Croatia | 6.7% |
| Serbia | 10.4% |
| Laos | 9.0% |
| Kenya | 9.4% |
| Madagascar | 8.4% |
| Luxembourg | 9.3% |
| Myanmar (Myanmar) | 10.0% |
| Latvia | 7.4% |
| Haiti | 9.9% |
| Panama | 5.7% |
| Bolivia | 3.2% |
| Ethiopia | 8.4% |
| Botswana | 10.0% |
| Jamaica | 6.1% |
| Paraguay | 8.2% |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 0.6% |
| Namibia | 6.9% |
| Fiji | 9.6% |
| Lebanon | 10.0% |
| Faeroe Islands | 10.0% |
| Cameroon | 2.9% |
| Liechtenstein | 13.3% |
| Brunei | 8.0% |
| Lesotho | 10.0% |
| Senegal | 6.0% |
| Mauritius | 9.7% |
| Malta | 4.0% |
| Mozambique | 7.6% |
| Tanzania | 9.2% |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 11.1% |
| North Macedonia | 10.2% |
| Gabon | 0.3% |
| Zambia | 8.3% |
| Georgia | 4.1% |
| Azerbaijan | 7.4% |
| Moldova | 9.8% |
| Uganda | 9.8% |
| Albania | 5.8% |
| Equatorial Guinea | 0.0% |
| Armenia | 9.7% |
| Nepal | 9.9% |
| Macao | 6.7% |
| St. Martin | 0.2% |
| Suriname | 8.8% |
| Togo | 10.0% |
| Belize | 8.9% |
| Chad | 0.5% |
| Papua New Guinea | 9.7% |
| Liberia | 1.2% |
| Zimbabwe | 9.9% |
| British Virgin Islands | 8.8% |
| Cyprus | 8.6% |
| Cayman Islands | 4.7% |
| Benin | 9.3% |
| Barbados | 8.2% |
| Monaco | 8.7% |
| Reunion | 10.0% |
| Uzbekistan | 5.6% |
| Malawi | 10.0% |
| French Polynesia | 8.2% |
| Republic of the Congo | 1.0% |
| Djibouti | 0.4% |
| Kosovo | 13.6% |
| New Caledonia | 10.0% |
| Greenland | 9.8% |
| Curacao | 3.7% |
| Rwanda | 8.6% |
| Sierra Leone | 6.0% |
| Mongolia | 9.7% |
| San Marino | 10.4% |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 6.0% |
| Bermuda | 1.6% |
| Falkland Islands | 9.8% |
| Eswatini (Swaziland) | 9.9% |
| Afghanistan | 9.8% |
| Marshall Islands | 9.8% |
| Belarus | 8.9% |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 8.3% |
| Kyrgyzstan | 10.5% |
| Montenegro | 6.5% |
| Turkmenistan | 8.0% |
| Grenada | 9.0% |
| Vanuatu | 10.0% |
| Sudan | 10.0% |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 5.4% |
| Aruba | 2.8% |
| Syria | 9.9% |
| Saint Helena | 9.2% |
| Yemen | 10.0% |
| Niger | 6.0% |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 7.0% |
| Seychelles | 10.3% |
| Saint Lucia | 6.3% |
| Iran | 9.4% |
| Guinea | 6.2% |
| West Bank | 10.0% |
| Timor-Leste | 9.8% |
| Samoa | 8.1% |
| Montserrat | 4.2% |
| Mali | 8.9% |
| Cuba | 9.9% |
| Maldives | 8.3% |
| Tajikistan | 1.9% |
| Burkina Faso | 9.9% |
| Cabo Verde | 9.5% |
| Niue | 8.3% |
| Burundi | 10.0% |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | 0.0% |
| Guadeloupe | 6.0% |
| Andorra | 9.4% |
| Bhutan | 9.6% |
| Mauritania | 9.6% |
| Tonga | 9.4% |
| Martinique | 4.8% |
| Somalia | 12.7% |
| Micronesia | 7.9% |
| Dominica | 7.5% |
| Nauru | 10.1% |
| Palau | 6.2% |
| Gambia | 9.9% |
| Mayotte | 9.7% |
| Comoros | 9.8% |
| French Guiana | 9.9% |
| Christmas Island | 9.9% |
| Central African Republic | 7.1% |
| Solomon Islands | 7.2% |
| Anguilla | 7.9% |
| Cocos (Keeling) Islands | 5.0% |
| Cook Islands | 6.9% |
| Eritrea | 10.6% |
| Kiribati | 9.7% |
| South Sudan | 9.7% |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 10.3% |
| British Indian Ocean Territory | 10.3% |
| Gibraltar | 5.3% |
| Tuvalu | 9.6% |
| Gaza Strip | 10.0% |
| Norfolk Island | 4.4% |
| Tokelau | 9.4% |
| Vatican City | 9.5% |
| Guinea-Bissau | 10.0% |
| North Korea | 10.0% |
| Svalbard and Jan Mayen | 10.0% |
| Wallis and Futuna | 7.3% |
| French Southern and Antarctic Lands | 8.2% |
| Heard and McDonald Islands | 7.4% |
| Pitcairn Islands | 10.0% |
