US tariff policy has changed dramatically since April 2025. Executive orders, court rulings, trade negotiations, and new tariff actions have repeatedly reshaped duty rates, legal authorities, and compliance requirements for importers.
Rather than following a single policy path, the past 16 months have seen tariffs introduced, paused, challenged in court, replaced under different legal authorities, and expanded to address new trade priorities. For businesses involved in international trade, understanding when these changes occurred—and why—is critical to evaluating duty exposure and maintaining compliance.
The timeline below outlines the major US tariff developments from April 2025 through today, highlighting the actions that have had the greatest impact on importers and global supply chains.
| Date | Event | Impact |
| April 2, 2025 | “Liberation Day” (Executive Order 14257) | President Trump announced a 10% universal tariff on nearly all imports plus higher “reciprocal” tariffs on dozens of countries using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). |
| April 5, 2025 | 10% Baseline Tariffs Take Effect (Executive Order 14257) | The universal tariff became effective on most imports entering the US. |
| April 9, 2025 | Country-Specific Reciprocal Tariffs Scheduled (Executive Order 14266) | Higher rates were set to begin but were paused for 90 days for all countries except China, after more than 75 trading partners engaged with the U.S. on trade concerns. |
| April 2025 | US-China Tariff Escalation (Executive Order 14266) | The US and China repeatedly increased tariffs on one another, with China’s rate rising over 100% before negotiations began. |
| May 2025 | Trade Negotiations Begin (CFR) | The administration began negotiating country-specific trade agreements while keeping the 10% baseline tariff in place for most imports. Only two preliminary deals were reached by the 90-day deadline. |
| May 28, 2025 | Court of International Trade (CIT) invalidates IEEPA tariffs (V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States) | The court ruled that IEEPA does not authorize the tariffs, marking the first major legal setback for the administration’s primary tariff authority. |
| June 4, 2025 | Section 232 Tariffs Increased on Steel & Aluminum (Fact Sheet: Section 232 Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum) | Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum increased from 25% to 50%, significantly impacting manufacturers and importers. |
| Summer-Fall 2025 | Trade Negotiations Expand (Presidential Tariff Actions | USTR) | The US announced trade arrangements with several partners, including the UK, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, the EU, and a temporary agreement with China. |
| August 2025 | Appeals Court Upholds Lower Court (V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States) | The Federal Circuit agreed that the Liberation Day tariffs exceeded presidential authority, setting up a Supreme Court review. |
| February 2026 | Supreme Court Strikes Down Liberation Day Tariffs (Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump) | The Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA could not be used to impose the broad reciprocal tariffs, effectively ending the legal basis for the Liberation Day tariff program. |
| February 24, 2026 | Temporary Sectional 122 Tariffs Take Effect (Federal Register) | To replace the invalidated IEEPA tariffs, the administration imposed a temporary 10% tariff under Section 122, which by law could only remain in effect for 150 days. |
| Spring 2026 | Refund Process Launched (Thompson Hine) | CBP rolled out the CAPE process in ACE, in two phases, so eligible importers could file for refunds of improperly collected IEEPA tariffs following the Supreme Court’s ruling. |
| July 20, 2026 | Canada Section 338 Tariffs (USTR) | The administration imposed an additional 50% tariff on select Canadian goods under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, using a different legal authority than IEEPA. |
| July 23-24, 2026 | New Section 301 Tariffs (USTR) | As the temporary Section 122 tariffs expired, the administration imposed new Section 301 tariffs on approximately 60 trading partners, citing failures to adequately prohibit forced labor in supply chains. These tariffs replaced the temporary Section 122 duties rather than reviving the invalidated Liberation Day tariffs. |
The tariff story is far from over. As US trade policy continues to evolve, importers should be prepared for new developments that could impact costs, compliance, and supply chain strategy.
Mohawk Global is committed to helping you stay ahead of change by turning complex trade developments into practical guidance you can use to make informed business decisions.