China, Canda, and the EU have announced retaliatory measures in response to President Trump's imposition or increase of tariffs.
The European Union's Retaliatory Measures
The EU announced March 20 that it would delay retaliatory tariffs on imports from the U.S. until mid-April (no specific date was given) in hopes of reaching a negotiated solution.
Effective March 12, 2025 the U.S. began imposing 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum and derivative products from all countries. The EU responded with a two-pronged retaliatory response, the first of which was to be reinstating tariffs on €4.5 billion worth of imports from the U.S. as of April 1. These tariffs, which had been suspended during President Trump’s first term will cover “products ranging from boats to bourbon to motorbikes” (see here and here for affected goods).
In the second step the EU planned to have in place by mid-April tariffs on another €18 billion worth of imports from the U.S. The Commission said proposed target products (a full list can be downloaded here) include industrial products such as steel and aluminum products, textiles, leather goods, home appliances, house tools, plastics, and wood products as well as agricultural products such as poultry, beef, seafood, nuts, eggs, dairy, sugar, and vegetables.
However, EU officials said March 20 that Brussels now plans to impose both sets of retaliatory tariffs at the same time in mid-April. The delay will allow time for the U.S. and the EU to hold negotiations on how to resolve the underlying dispute without a further escalation of tariffs (talks that appear to be ongoing). It will also give the EU time to evaluate the reciprocal tariffs President Trump has threatened to assess beginning April 2 and adjust its measures accordingly.
Canada's Retaliatory Measures
March 4 IEEPA Tariffs Retaliation: In response to the U.S. tariffs imposed under IEEPA, Canada has imposed 25 percent tariffs on C$155 billion worth of imports from the U.S. in two phases. The first phase, which took effect March 4, covers C$30 billion worth of goods, including orange juice, peanut butter, wine, spirits, beer, coffee, appliances, apparel, footwear, motorcycles, cosmetics, and pulp and paper. The second phase, which is suspended until April 2, will include passenger vehicles and trucks, steel and aluminum products, certain fruits and vegetables, aerospace products, beef, pork, dairy, recreational vehicles, and recreational boats.
232 Tariffs on Steel & Aluminum Retaliation: Additionally, in response to the 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, as of 12:01 am on March 13 Canada imposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs on C$12.6 billion worth of steel products, C$3 billion worth of aluminum products, and C$14.2 billion worth of additional goods imported from the U.S. The list of affected products is available here and includes tools, computers and servers, display monitors, sports equipment, and cast-iron products. Affected goods that were in transit to Canada as of March 13 are exempt. These tariffs only apply to goods originating from the U.S. (i.e., those eligible to be marked as a good of the U.S. under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
China's Retaliatory Measures
Reciprocal Tariffs Retaliation: On April 4, 2025, China announced retaliatory measures including an additional 34 percent tariffs on U.S. products, new restrictions on rare earth exports, import bans for specific U.S. exporters, additions to its unreliable entity list and dual-use export controls list, and a new antidumping investigation of X-ray tube assemblies for medical CT devices. Read more detail about these measures here.
March 4 IEEPA Tariffs Increase Retaliation: China announced additional retaliatory measures including additional tariffs of 15 percent on chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and 10 percent on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products imported from the U.S. China also added additional U.S. entities to its unreliable entity list and its dual-use export control list and initiated their first-ever anti-circumvention initiation relating to U.S. fiber manufacturers. Read more detail about these measures here.
February 4 IEEPA Tariffs Retaliation: Chinese government authorities announced retaliatory measures including a 15 percent tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, and a 10 percent tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, automobiles (>2,500cc), and pickup trucks. Additionally, China has added two entities to its unreliable entity list and imposed new restrictions on exports of some critical materials and technology. Read more detail about these measures here.
Recommendations: It is expected that U.S. companies’ subsidiaries in China will face more audits and investigations by Chinese authorities, as well as higher duty costs for selling goods to China. To mitigate these risks, ST&R’s Asia-based trade professionals can help companies monitor regulatory updates; understand Chinese regulations and Chinese authorities’ enforcement priorities; conduct internal risk assessments; respond to audits by Chinese authorities, including China Customs, Tax Bureau, and Ministry of Commerce; negotiate with authorities on case settlement; and restructure supply chains.