Geopolitical tensions

Total: (Last update: June 2, 2025)

• United States announces doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50% with the expected entry into force date of June 4, 2025. (30/05/2025)
• United States has delayed its proposed 50% tariffs on the European Union and agreed to extend trade negotiations until July 9, 2025. (26/05/2025)
• China will suspend for 90 days the non-tariff countermeasures imposed on April 4, 2025, while the measures imposed on April 9, 2025, will be suspended without a specified duration. These measures affect 17 U.S. entities, prohibiting them from engaging in China-related import and export activities. This decision follows the China-U.S. High-Level Economic and Trade Talks. (15/05/2025)
• United States, effective May 14, 2024, will reduce De Minimis tariffs on low-value imports from China (including Hong Kong and Macao) following a 90-day pause. The ad valorem tariff will decrease from 120% to 54% and the $100 specific duty per postal item remains unchanged. The modification schedule for June 1, 2025, is withdrawn. (13/05/2025)
• China, under the "Joint Statement on China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva," has agreed that, effective May 14, 2025, 24 percentage points of the 34% tariff under CTC No. 4 will be suspended for 90 days, leaving a 10% tariff. Tariffs of 84% under CTC No. 5 and 125% under CTC No. 6 will be removed on U.S. imported goods, along with the suspension or removal of non-tariff countermeasures imposed against U.S. since April 2, 2025. (12/05/2025)
• United States, under the "Joint Statement on U.S.-China Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva," has agreed that, effective May 14, 2025, 24 percentage points of the 34% tariff under EO 14257 (April 2, 2025) will be suspended for 90 days, leaving a 10% tariff on specific goods. Additionally, tariffs of 84% under EO 14259 (April 8, 2025) and 125% under EO 14266 (April 9, 2025) will be removed on Chinese imported goods. IEEPA: 20% tariff still applicable. (12/05/2025)
• United States and the United Kingdom have defined the general terms for the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD) (which is not yet legally binding) to enhance their economic partnership. The EPD is expected to reduce tariffs on a preferential basis for key sectors and products, including U.S. beef and ethanol, as well as UK automotive, steel, aluminum, and certain pharmaceuticals. (08/05/2025)
• European Union has launched public consultations on potential countermeasures targeting United States imports (€95 billion, including agricultural and industrial goods) and restricting EU exports of steel scrap and chemicals to the U.S. (€4.4 billion). (08/05/2025)
• European Union announced the launch of a WTO dispute against the United States "reciprocal" tariffs and tariffs on cars and car parts, formally requesting consultations, claiming that these tariffs blatantly violate fundamental WTO rules. (08/05/2025)
• United States issued guidance on the 25% tariffs on imports of certain automobile parts from all countries, effective at 12:01 a.m. ET on May 3, 2025. Auto parts that are eligible for preferential treatment under the USMCA are subject to a 0% additional ad valorem duty (except for knock-down kits, parts compilations, and parts for passenger vehicles and light trucks). (01/05/2025)
• United States amended the tariffs on automobiles and automobile parts to reduce tariffs on imported parts that account for 15% of the value of a U.S.-assembled automobile for one year, and 10% for an additional year, effective from May 3, 2025. Details on the calculations are available in the official document. (29/04/2025)
• United States issued an Executive Order clarifying the non-cumulative application of overlapping tariffs—referred to as the “Non-Stacking of Tariff Measures”—for certain imports, including steel, aluminum, automobiles and certain related parts (29/04/2025)
• Chinareportedly ordered its airlines to halt deliveries of Boeing aircraft and suspend purchases of U.S.-made aircraft parts. Boeing has confirmed that Chinese customers are refusing to accept deliveries of new aircraft due to the ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions. (24/04/2025)
• United Kingdom launched a review of its Low Value Import scheme, aiming to curb tariff-free imports of goods under £135 in response to surging low-cost shipments—particularly from China—amid rising global protectionism. (23/04/2025)
• Viet Namissued a directive on April 15 to crack down on illegal transshipment and trade fraud, aiming to prevent goods from being falsely labelled as "Made in Vietnam" to circumvent U.S. tariffs. The directive mandates stricter inspections of imported raw materials and enhanced supervision of origin certificates. (22/04/2025)
• United States launched Section 232 national security investigations into imports of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and their derivative products. (22/04/2025)
• United States finalized anti-dumping and countervailing duties of up to 3,521% on solar panel imports from Cambodia, Viet Nam, Thailand, and Malaysia, following investigations into unfair pricing and subsidy practices. The tariffs will take effect pending an International Trade Commission injury determination in June. (22/04/2025)
• India imposed a 12% safeguard duty on certain steel imports for a period of 200 days in response to a recent surge in imports. The temporary measure is intended to support the domestic steel industry, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, by addressing concerns over the impact of lower-priced foreign steel on local producers. (21/04/2025)
• India revoked a key transshipment facility for Bangladeshi exports on April 8. Bangladesh responded with a ban on Indian yarn imports via land ports, later expanding to several goods from India, Nepal, and Bhutan, including textiles, ceramics, and paper. (08–17/04/2025)
• United States announced port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated vessels, effective October 14, following a Section 301 investigation into China’s role in global shipbuilding. Exemptions apply to for U.S.-owned vessels and certain regional routes. (15/04/2025)
• Hong Kong, China, suspended acceptance of goods-containing mail to the U.S., citing the elimination of U.S. de minimis treatment and new tariffs effective May 2. Surface mail was halted immediately; airmail ceased from April 27. Document-only shipments remain unaffected. (16/04/2025)
• China reportedly ordered its airlines to halt deliveries of Boeing aircraft and suspend purchases of U.S.-made aircraft parts, in response to the U.S. imposing high tariffs on Chinese goods, according to Bloomberg. Boeing declined to comment. (15/04/2025)
• United States launched Section 232 national security investigations into imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products, pharmaceuticals, pharmaceutical ingredients, semiconductors, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Final reports are due within 180 days. (15/04/2025)
• United States will impose a 20.91% antidumping duty on most Mexican tomato imports from July 14, following the termination of the 2019 Suspension Agreement. (14/04/2025)
• European Union adopted legal acts to revise and suspend countermeasures on U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs until July 14. The €21 billion package updates the 2018 scope (Annex I) and outlines new 25% duties in response to recent U.S. tariff expansions (Annexes II–IV). (14/04/2025)
• United States exempted additional electronics from 'reciprocal tariffs' falling under the term of 'semiconductors', effective April 5. These include computers and parts, smartphones, smart devices, SSDs, screens and monitors. (11/04/2025)
• China added 12 U.S. entities to its Export Control List, and listing 6 U.S. firms as Unreliable Entities. (09/04/2025)
• Canada imposed 25% tariffs on non-USMCA-compliant vehicles and non-Canadian and non-Mexican content in USMCA-eligible vehicles imported from the U.S. (08/04/2025)
• China imposed additional measures against the U.S., including (1) 34% tariff on all U.S. imports (effective April 10); (2) export controls on rare-earth elements (e.g., samarium, terbium); (3) 16 U.S. firms added to Export Control List; (4) 11 firms added to Unreliable Entity List; (5) export suspensions for 3 U.S. sorghum and poultry feed firms; (6) food export bans for 2 U.S. poultry companies. (04/04/2025)
• United States imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on most imports effective April 5, with higher, country-specific rates (up to 50%) for 83 countries starting April 9 (Annex I). Exemptions apply to USMCA-compliant goods from Canada and Mexico, Column 2 countries (e.g., Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, Russia), products with ≥20% U.S. content (taxed only on the foreign portion), Section 232 goods, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and items listed in Annex II. (02/04/2025).
• United States imposed a 25% tariff on imported automobiles and key parts, with phased implementation. USMCA vehicles may be taxed only on non-U.S. content. (26/03/2025)

Russian invasion of Ukraine 

Total: (Last update: April 25, 2025)

• United Kingdom introduced a new trade sanctions package against Russia including business software restrictions, technology controls and additional export and import prohibitions. (24/04/2025)
• Belarus implements an export prohibition of 253 foreign-made product categories, including household appliances, vehicles, clothing and medical clothing. (24/03/2025)
• European Union adopts 16th package of sanctions against Russia, including an import quota on primary aluminium. (25/02/2025)
• Japan updates export ban to 335 industrial products that contribute to strengthening the industrial base of Russia (23/01/2025)
• Belarus extends import ban on additional industrial and household items until December 2024 (28/08/2024)
• United States introduces import ban on low-enriched uranium from Russia. (11/08/2024)