May 2019

Washington bans Chinese technology company Huawei from buying parts and components from U.S. companies.

June 2019

Trump and Xi agree in a phone call to restart trade talks, but these hit numerous snags in the next five months.

January 2020

The U.S. and China sign a Phase One trade deal through which China commits to buying an additional $200 billion of U.S. goods and services over the next two years. However, a research group later found China had bought essentially none of the goods promised.

October 2022

Biden, who had retained most of the tariffs enacted under Trump, issues sweeping new restrictions on selling semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China. These curbs will be expanded in October 2023 and December 2024.

February 2024

On his campaign trail, Trump says that he plans to impose tariffs of at least 60% on all Chinese imports if he wins a second term in office.

May 2024

Biden raises tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar cells, steel, aluminum and medical equipment.

Feb. 4, 2025

New 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports to the U.S. come into effect. China retaliates the same day by announcing a flurry of countermeasures, including duties on American coal, liquefied natural gas and agricultural machinery.

March 4, 2025

Additional 10% tariffs on all Chinese goods will go into effect. China responds with additional tariffs of up to 15% on imports of key U.S. farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef, and expanded controls on doing business with key U.S. companies. The tariffs went into effect on March 10.

April 3, 2025

On Trump’s so-called tariff “Liberation Day,” he announces additional 34% duties on all Chinese imports, alongside tariffs on goods from countries around the world. The sweeping tariffs are to come into effect April 9.

April 4, 2025

China announces other retaliatory moves including more export controls on rare earth minerals, and files a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization.

China also suspends imports of sorghum, poultry and bonemeal from several U.S. companies, adds 27 firms to lists of companies facing trade restrictions, and starts an anti-monopoly probe into DuPont China Group Co.