U.S. Import Tariff Announcement Timeline:

April 3

Trump announced the implementation of reciprocal tariffs, setting a baseline tariff of 10% on all products starting April 5. Higher “reciprocal tariffs” will take effect on April 9, with specific rates as follows: Vietnam 46%, Thailand 36%, China 34%, Taiwan 32%, Indonesia 32%, Malaysia 24%, Japan 24%, South Korea 25%, Canada 25%, Mexico 25%, the European Union 20%, and the United Kingdom 10%.

Certain products will be exempt from these tariffs, including copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, wood products, specific critical minerals, energy, and energy-related products.

April 8

Trump ordered an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports, raising the cumulative tariff rate on Chinese goods to 104% effective April 9.

April 9

Details of the higher reciprocal tariffs took effect. The new rates are: China 104%, Vietnam 46%, Thailand 36%, Taiwan 32%, Indonesia 32%, Malaysia 24%, Japan 24%, South Korea 25%, Canada 25%, Mexico 25%, EU 20%, and the UK 10%. Certain products remain exempt, including copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, wood products, specific critical minerals, and energy-related goods.

April 10

Trump announced a temporary 90-day suspension of the highest reciprocal tariffs for 75 countries, reducing the tariffs to a standard 10%. However, Canada and Mexico will continue to face the 25% surcharge. Only tariffs on Chinese imports were raised further, now totaling 145%.

April 12

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released an updated exemption list for reciprocal tariffs on April 11, which now includes consumer electronics such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and televisions. Other products like servers and solar energy-related goods are now subject to a standard 10% surcharge.

April 15

The U.S. Department of Commerce published two notices in the Federal Register on April 15, initiating Section 232 investigations into "imported semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment" and "imported pharmaceuticals and their ingredients," assessing their impact on U.S. national security.

April 16

Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Commerce to launch a Section 232 investigation into critical minerals, which must be completed within 270 days. Due to China's continued retaliatory actions, Chinese exports to the U.S. now face tariffs as high as 245%.

The U.S. reciprocal tariff policy continues to change unpredictably. It started with a 90-day suspension, followed by an exemption list covering certain electronics including semiconductors, and now it moves to possibly imposing new tariffs on semiconductors again. These fluctuations make it difficult for stakeholders to grasp the direction of U.S. trade policy.

Regardless of policy changes, rolling adjustments to reciprocal tariffs are expected to become the norm in the short term.

Given the constant changes in U.S. tariff policy, does your company have logistics and transportation strategies in place to respond accordingly?

UT FREIGHT is here to provide you with comprehensive consultation and customized services.

If you have any inquiries regarding import/export business, please feel free to contact the personnel below. Our company is committed to integrity and dedicated service for all our valued clients, both new and long-standing.

Air Freight Division: +886-2-2786-6988 Ext.234 – Manager Meg Chou

Ocean Freight Division: +886-2-2786-6988 Ext.307 – Assistant Manager Emily Pon

International Business Division: +886-2-2786-6988 Ext.307 – Manager Vincent Huang