Revisiting Trump’s Tariffs: The Current Landscape

Tariffs are taxes placed on goods imported from other countries. Former U.S. President Donald Trump used tariffs as a key part of his economic and trade policies, especially during his time in office from 2017 to 2021. He believed that tariffs would help American workers and businesses by protecting them from foreign competition.

Even though Trump is no longer president, his tariffs are still a big topic of discussion in 2025, especially with the possibility of him returning to office. Let’s explore what tariffs he imposed, how they affected the economy, and where things currently stand with Trump’s tariffs today.

What Are Tariffs and Why Are They Used?

Tariffs are fees or taxes added to the price of imported goods. When a country imposes a tariff, it makes foreign products more expensive. This can help local businesses because their goods become cheaper in comparison, giving them an advantage.

Governments use tariffs for several reasons:

• Protecting local industries from foreign competition.
• Raising government revenue.
• Punishing other countries for unfair trade practices.
• Creating leverage in trade negotiations.

Trump used tariffs mostly to protect American jobs and to get better trade deals from countries like China, Mexico, and members of the European Union.

Trump’s Major Tariffs (2018–2021)

During his presidency, Trump imposed several important tariffs. Let’s look at the major ones:

1. Tariffs on China (The Trade War)

This was the biggest and most talkedabout policy. In 2018, Trump started placing tariffs on Chinese goods to punish China for:

• Stealing U.S. technology and intellectual property.
• Forcing U.S. companies to share trade secrets.
• Having a large trade surplus with the U.S. (selling more to the U.S. than buying from it).

These tariffs started small but grew quickly:

• $34 billion worth of Chinese goods were taxed in July 2018.
• Eventually, tariffs were applied to over $360 billion of Chinese products.

China responded by placing tariffs on U.S. goods like soybeans, pork, and cars. This backandforth became known as the U.S.–China Trade War.

2. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs

In 2018, Trump placed a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum, saying it was necessary for national security. These tariffs affected not just China but also U.S. allies like Canada, Mexico, and European countries.

3. Tariffs on Europe, Canada, and Mexico

Trump also targeted other countries with tariffs on various products, such as:

• European cars and wine
• Canadian lumber and dairy
• Mexican products, including avocados and electronics

Many of these countries responded with their own tariffs, creating trade tensions.

Effects of Trump’s Tariffs

1. Impact on American Consumers

Tariffs made imported goods more expensive. As a result, American consumers had to pay more for many products, including electronics, furniture, clothing, and food.

2. Impact on U.S. Farmers

China stopped buying many American farm goods during the trade war, especially soybeans. This hurt U.S. farmers. The government had to provide billions of dollars in aid to farmers to help them survive the loss of income.

3. Impact on Businesses

Many American companies that rely on imported materials, like steel and parts from China, had to pay more to make their products. Some had to raise prices or lay off workers. Others moved production to other countries to avoid tariffs.

4. Impact on the Economy

At first, the economy kept growing. But by 2019, economists warned that the trade war was slowing down economic growth. The COVID19 pandemic in 2020 made things worse, but the trade war had already shaken confidence in global markets.

The Phase One Deal (2020)

In January 2020, Trump and Chinese officials signed a “Phase One” trade deal. Under this agreement:

• China promised to buy more American products, especially agricultural goods.
• The U.S. agreed to reduce some tariffs, but most stayed in place.

Even after this deal, tensions between the U.S. and China remained high.

What Happened After Trump Left Office?

When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, many people expected him to remove Trump’s tariffs. But he kept most of them in place, especially the ones on China. His reasons included:

• Continuing pressure on China over trade, technology, and human rights.
• Not wanting to look “soft” on China.
• Waiting to use the tariffs as bargaining tools in future negotiations.

Some changes did happen:

• Tariff exclusions: Some companies were allowed to avoid certain tariffs.
• New trade agreements: Biden focused more on working with allies to counter China.

Still, Trump’s tariffs remain a major part of U.S. trade policy in 2025.

Where Things Stand in 2025

As of now, here is what the situation looks like:

1. Tariffs on China Are Still in Effect

Many of Trump’s tariffs on Chinese electronics, machinery, and consumer goods are still active. Although China has started buying more U.S. goods again, the basic structure of the trade war hasn’t changed much.

2. Steel and Aluminum Tariffs Continue

Biden adjusted these tariffs for some countries like the EU (replacing them with import quotas), but the tariffs remain for others, including China and Russia.

3. Political Pressure to Keep Tariffs

In the U.S., both Republicans and Democrats are now more cautious about free trade. Many voters, especially in industrial areas, support tariffs to protect American jobs. This makes it harder for any president to remove them completely.

What Trump Says Now (2024–2025)

Trump, who is running for president again in 2024 and possibly returning to power, has made tariffs a major part of his campaign. He says:

• Tariffs “worked” and protected American industries.
• He wants to put a 10% tariff on all imports.
• He’s even suggested 60% or higher tariffs on Chinese goods.
• He wants to stop U.S. companies from depending on foreign countries.

Critics warn that these ideas could cause another trade war, raise prices, and hurt American consumers.

Supporters vs. Critics: The Debate

Supporters of Trump’s Tariffs Say:

• They protect U.S. jobs and factories.
• They give America power in global trade talks.
• They punish countries like China for unfair practices.

Critics Say:

• They raise prices for consumers and businesses.
• They hurt farmers and exporters.
• They lead to trade wars that hurt everyone.

What Could Happen Next?

The future of Trump’s tariffs depends on who wins the 2024 presidential election and how the global economy changes. Some possibilities include:

• If Trump returns, he may increase tariffs and launch new trade battles.
• If Biden or another Democrat wins, they may reduce some tariffs or replace them with new trade deals.
• U.S.–China relations will be key. If tensions rise, tariffs may stay or increase. If cooperation improves, some could be lifted.

Trump’s tariffs were one of the most important and controversial parts of his presidency. Even years later, they continue to shape American trade policy and global economics. While some Americans see them as protection against unfair trade, others believe they hurt the economy more than they help.

As we move into the next election and beyond, tariffs will remain a hot topic  not just about trade, but also about jobs, politics, and America’s role in the world. Whatever happens next, Trump’s tariffs have already changed the way the U.S. thinks about global trade  perhaps for good.