The Trade War Timeline 2018

US imposes tariffs on solar panels and washing machines: Trump imposes tariffs of 30% on imported solar panels and 20% on imported washing machines in his first strike against China.

4 February 2018China launches investigation into animal feed: China began an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation into imports of sorghum, an animal feed, from the US.

16 February 2018 US national security report released: The US government releases a report that finds steel and aluminium imports threaten US national security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The act lets the president impose restrictions on imports for national security reasons.

1 March 2018US imposes steel and aluminium tariffs: Donald Trump announces tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminium imports.

8 March 2018Canada and Mexico exempted from tariffs: Donald Trump signs an order to impose the steel and aluminium tariffs after 15 days. He temporarily exempts Canada and Mexico pending the renegotiation talks of the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

22 March 2018China unfair trade report: Donald Trump exempts the European Union, Brazil, South Korea, Argentina and Australia from the steel and aluminium tariffs until 1 May 2018. The US government also releases a report that finds China has been conducting unfair trade practices in order to acquire US intellectual property and technological expertise under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This act grants the US President the power to impose tariffs and suspend trade agreements against unfair trade practices.

23 March 2018 Steel and aluminium tariffs come into force: Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs come into effect together with exemptions for certain countries.

2 April 2018 China’s first retaliatory tariffs : China imposes retaliatory tariffs on about $3 billion worth of US imports including pork, fruits and nuts, and steel pipes.

3 April 2018 The US responds to China’s first retaliation: The US government releases a list of 1,333 Chinese products, which could be subject to tariffs of 25%.

4 April 2018China releases its own list: China releases its own list of 106 products, which could be subject to tariffs of 25%.

5 April 2018 Trump escalates the dispute: Donald Trump asks trade officials to consider imposing $100bn in additional tariffs on Chinese goods.

30 April 2018 Tariff exemptions extended by US: The US government extends the steel and aluminium tariff exemptions for the European Union, Canada and Mexico until 1 June 2018.

19 May 2018 A ceasefire is reached: China and the US announce they have reached a ceasefire.

29 May 2018The US breaks the ceasefire: The US government announces it will impose tariffs on $50 billion of goods from China. It also announces limits on Chinese investment in high-tech industries.

1 June 2018 Steel and aluminium exemptions end: The exemptions provided to the European Union, Canada and Mexico are lifted. Their steel and aluminium exports to the US are subject to tariffs.

15 June 2018 The US proposes tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods: The US Trade Representative releases a revised list of products to be subject to 25% tariffs.

15 June 2018China proposes retaliatory measures: China issues an updated retaliation list for its 25% tariffs.

22 June 2018 The EU retaliates to steel and aluminium tariffs: The European Union slaps retaliatory tariffs on the US, covering $3.2bn worth of US products.

22 June 2018 Donald Trump responds to the EU retaliation: Trump threatens a 20% tariff on all US imports of cars assembled in the European Union.

1 July 2018Canada retaliates to steel and aluminium tariffs : Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on US products totalling $12.8bn worth of US products.

6 July 2018 The US imposes its next round of tariffs: The US imposes tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods.

10 July 2018The US proposes tariffs on more goods: The US announces plans to impose 10% tariffs on another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.