Major Developments in Trump’s Trade War – 2025 Timeline

Trade War : Since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, his aggressive tariff strategy has reshaped global trade, shaken markets, and triggered geopolitical tensions. Here’s a chronological breakdown of key developments:

February: Tariff Blitz Begins

• Feb 1:
  
  • 25% tariffs on Mexican & most Canadian imports
    
  • 10% tariffs on Chinese goods
    
  • Justification: curb fentanyl and illegal immigration
    
• Feb 3:
  
  • 30-day pause for Mexico & Canada after border/crime concessions
    
  • No deal with China
    
• Feb 10:
  
  • Steel & aluminum tariffs hiked to flat 25%, no exceptions
    

March: Rapid Escalation

• Mar 3:
  
  • 25% tariffs on Mexico/Canada begin
    
  • Fentanyl-related tariffs on China doubled to 20%
    
• Mar 6:
  
  • Temporary exemptions for Mexico & Canada under NAFTA
    
• Mar 26:
  
  • 25% tariff slapped on imported cars & light trucks
    

April: Global Tariffs Rolled Out

• Apr 2:
  
  • 10% blanket global tariff introduced
    
  • Higher tariffs for top U.S. trade partners
    
• Apr 9:
  
  • 90-day pause after market chaos
    
  • Blanket 10% tariff remains
    
  • Tariffs on Chinese imports raised to 145%
    

May: Patchy Trade Truces

• May 9:
  
  • U.S.-UK mini trade deal
    
  • 10% tariffs stay on UK goods, car tariffs lowered
    
• May 12:
  
  • Temporary U.S.-China tariff truce
    
  • U.S. tariffs cut from 145% → 30%
    
  • China cuts tariffs to 10%
    
• May 13:
  
  • U.S. lowers “de minimis” China tariffs to 54%
    
• May 23:
  
  • Trump threatens Apple with 25% tariffs for overseas iPhone production
    
• May 29:
  
  • Federal court temporarily reinstates broad Trump tariffs

June: Tariff Expansion

• June 3:
  
  • Steel & aluminum tariffs hiked to 50%

July: Blanket Tariffs, Global Pushback

• July 3:
  
  • 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports
    
  • 40% on goods transshipped via Vietnam
    
• July 6:
  
  • 10% tariff on countries aligned with BRICS
    
• July 7:
  
  • Trump confirms Aug 1 rollout of new tariffs (25%-40%) targeting 14 countries
    
• July 10:
  
  • 35% tariffs on Canadian imports announced
    
  • Blanket 15%-20% duties planned for most others
    
• July 12:
  
  • Threat of 30% tariffs on Mexico and EU
    
• July 15:
  
  • 19% tariff announced on Indonesia
    
• July 22:
  
  • Japan deal signed, auto import tariff cut to 15%
    
• July 27:
  
  • EU trade deal signed, 15% tariff imposed on most goods
    
• July 28:
  
  • Trump warns: countries without trade deals face 15%-20% blanket tariffs
    
• July 30:
  
  • 25% tariff on India, 50% on copper pipes & wiring from all origins
    
  • South Korea tariff set at 15%, down from 25% threat

Key Themes & Impacts

• Tariffs as Leverage: Trump has used duties as negotiating tools for border security, drug control, and trade deals.
  
• Market Volatility: Policy unpredictability has rattled global financial markets.
  
• Selective Truces: Temporary reprieves (e.g., with China & UK) show tactical rather than strategic de-escalation.
  
• Global Pushback: Allies and rivals alike are re-evaluating trade ties with the U.S.
  
• Domestic Pressure: U.S. businesses, courts, and some lawmakers are pushing back due to inflation and supply chain stress.

Bottom Line: Trump’s 2025 trade war marks one of the most aggressive use of tariffs in modern U.S. history. While some deals have been inked, uncertainty looms large as global markets brace for more turbulence.