List of Countries the US Has Imposed Tariffs On

List of Countries the US Has Imposed Tariffs On

Summary Table of Major US Tariff Targets (2025)

The United States has dramatically reshaped its trade policy in 2025, imposing tariffs on virtually every country from which it imports goods. From January to April 2025, the average applied US tariff rate rose from 2.5% to an estimated 27%—the highest level in over a century. This unprecedented wave of protectionist measures represents the most comprehensive tariff regime since the 1930s and has fundamentally altered the global trading landscape.

The Foundation: China, Canada, and Mexico

The tariff saga began on February 1, 2025, when President Trump implemented a 25% additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China, citing national emergencies related to fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration. These initial tariffs set the tone for what would become a much broader trade offensive.

China has faced the most severe treatment. After a retaliatory spiral, US tariffs on Chinese goods rose to 145% while Chinese tariffs on US goods rose to 125%. This escalation transformed the ongoing trade tensions into a full-scale trade war, with both nations imposing punitive measures on each other's exports.

For Canada and Mexico, the situation evolved differently. USMCA compliant goods continue to see a 0% tariff, while non-USMCA compliant goods face a 25% tariff. However, Canada's rate has risen to roughly 35% as of August 1 for goods not covered by the trade agreement, while Mexico's status remains under negotiation.

Liberation Day: The Universal Tariff

April 2, 2025, dubbed "Liberation Day" by President Trump, marked a turning point. The president declared a national emergency regarding the national trade deficit and imposed a 10% tariff on all countries. This baseline rate became the minimum tariff applied to imports from nearly every nation on earth.

But the story didn't end there. President Trump imposed individualized reciprocal higher tariffs on countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits, taking effect April 9, 2025. Though initially delayed due to market turmoil, these country-specific tariffs were eventually implemented on August 7, 2025.

The Reciprocal Tariff Framework

The reciprocal tariff system affects over 180 countries, with rates varying dramatically based on each nation's trade relationship with the United States. Rates range from as low as 11% for countries like Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo to as high as 50% for Lesotho, 49% for Cambodia, 48% for Laos, and 47% for Madagascar.

Major trading partners received significant attention. The European Union faces a 20% tariff, while India received a 26% rate (later increased to 50%), Indonesia 32%, and Malaysia 24%. Several countries managed to negotiate reduced rates. Trade partners including the United Kingdom, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam reached bilateral agreements that reduced their rates below the original proposals.

Sector-Specific Tariffs

Beyond the country-specific measures, the administration implemented sweeping sector-based tariffs. Steel and aluminum imports saw their tariff rates doubled from 25% to 50% for most countries. A 25% tariff was imposed on imported automobiles and automobile parts, citing national security concerns. Most recently, President Trump announced a 100% tariff on imported semiconductors, though companies manufacturing or committed to manufacturing within the United States received exemptions.

Special Penalties and Additional Measures

Some countries face compound tariffs due to specific policy concerns. India and Brazil both received additional penalties, bringing their total tariff rates to 50%. India was penalized for its purchase of Russian oil, while Brazil faced increased duties over government policies deemed threatening to US interests.

The de minimis exemption, which previously allowed packages valued below $800 to enter the country tariff-free, was ended on August 29, 2025. This change particularly affected e-commerce shipments and small-value imports from countries like China.

Legal Challenges and Uncertainty

The tariff regime faces significant legal challenges. Federal courts have ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are illegal, though they remain in effect during appeals. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the IEEPA tariffs in November 2025, creating uncertainty about the future of this unprecedented trade policy.

Economic Impact

By September 2025, US tariff revenue exceeded $30 billion per month, compared to under $10 billion per month in 2024. However, economists widely criticize the approach, noting that US businesses importing foreign goods pay these tariffs, costs which are often passed on to American consumers. The tariffs have contributed to downgraded GDP growth projections by the Federal Reserve, OECD, and World Bank for both the United States and its trading partners.

The Rationale

The Trump administration argues these tariffs will promote domestic manufacturing, protect national security, and address what it views as unfair trade practices. The United States has one of the lowest simple average most-favored-nation tariff rates in the world at 3.3%, while many key trading partners like Brazil (11.2%), China (7.5%), the European Union (5%), India (17%), and Vietnam impose higher rates.

The tariff policy represents a fundamental shift in US trade philosophy, moving away from decades of trade liberalization toward protectionism on a scale not seen in nearly a century. Whether this approach will achieve its stated goals of reshoring manufacturing and reducing trade deficits remains hotly debated among economists and policymakers alike.