In recent months, the Trump administration has rolled out a number of trade actions, either China-specific or applying to all countries, which have increased the tariff rates applied to goods imported from China. Here is a breakdown of U.S. tariff policy, with an emphasis on specific items of interest.

Since President Trump took office this January, he has added several layers of tariffs that apply to Chinese goods (and sometimes to other countries' imports as well). These tariffs can be categorized as (1) country-agnostic and (2) China-specific tariffs.

Country-agnostic tariffs:

• Standard MFN tariffs
• 25% Section 232 tariffs on autos and auto parts
• 25% Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminum and derivative products

(It is worth noting that more tariffs may be coming soon as a result of several ongoing Section 232 actions)

China-specific tariffs:

• 20% tariffs under the IEEPA in response to concerns about fentanyl coming into the U.S. (IEEPA fentanyl tariffs)
• 125% "reciprocal" tariffs under the IEEPA, based on the Trump administration's initial 34% tariffs, and then several rounds of tit-for-tat, with some specific product exclusions
• up to 100% Section 301 tariffs that apply to various products

(It is worth noting that more tariffs may be coming as a result of ongoing Section 301 actions)

The trade-weighted average U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods, however, is lower than the combination of IEEPA fentanyl tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, sitting at 124.1% for now, according to Chad Bown, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. This is likely due to the tariff exclusions on items such as chips, phones, computers, and other items subject to Section 232 tariffs, which disproportionately affects the trade-weighted average tariff rate.

A breakdown of the tariffs on select products is detailed below. Please note that it does not include trade remedy measures (Section 201 Safeguard tariffs, and anti-dumping and countervailing duties) and that there will be additional tariffs in the upcoming months and years as a result of multiple ongoing investigations.

Steel, Aluminum and Derivative Products

The current tariff rate is set at 70%, encompassing 25% under the Section 301 determination from Trump's first term, 25% under the Section 232 investigation, as well as 20% IEEPA tariffs. Steel and aluminum are excluded from the reciprocal tariff.

Additional note: For some items that are subject to both Section 232 steel tariffs and Section 232 aluminum tariffs, the 25% duties under each measure will cumulate to 50%. In addition, Chinese steel and aluminum products are also subject to various trade remedy measures in the United States, making the total tariffs even higher.

Integrated Circuits

The current tariff rate is set at 70%, encompassing 50% from the Section 301 investigation, plus the 20% IEEPA tariffs. Semiconductors are excluded from the reciprocal tariff.

Additional note: While semiconductors are currently excluded from the reciprocal tariffs, Chinese chips are subject to an ongoing Section 301 investigation. And there is a new Section 232 investigation on semiconductors. As a result, tariffs in this category may go up again.

Auto Parts

The current tariff rate is set at 72.5%, encompassing the 2.5% MFN rate, 25% Section 232 tariffs, 25% Section 301 tariffs, and 20% IEEPA tariffs.

Smartphones and Portable Computers

The current tariff rate, composed solely from the IEEPA tariff, is set at 20%.

Additional note: They may face more tariffs as a result of a Section 232 investigation that covers semiconductors and derivative products, which includes downstream products that contain semiconductors. Another Section 232 investigation on critical minerals may also lead to additional tariffs on these items.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The current tariff rate is set at 147.5%, encompassing the 2.5% MFN rate, 100% Section 301 tariffs, 20% IEEPA tariffs, and 25% Section 232 tariffs.

Additional note: The Section 232 investigation on critical minerals and semiconductors and derivative products may lead to additional tariffs on EVs. In addition, there is a broader ban on Chinese connected vehicles on the basis of security reasons on its way as well, so the impact of tariffs on trade would be limited.

Lithium-ion Batteries

The current tariff rate is set at 73.4%, encompassing the 3.4% MFN rate, 25% Section 301 tariffs, 20% IEEPA tariffs, and 25% Section 232 tariffs on auto and auto parts.

Additional note: The Section 232 investigation on critical minerals may lead to additional tariffs on batteries.

Solar Panels

The current tariff rate is set at 195%, encompassing 50% Section 301 tariffs, 20% IEEPA tariffs, and 125% reciprocal tariffs.

Additional note: The U.S. government has imposed Section 201 tariffs on solar cells and modules, and has also imposed other trade remedy measures on Chinese products. The Section 232 investigation on critical minerals may lead to additional tariffs on solar panels. Whether potential Section 232 tariffs will then replace the reciprocal tariffs remains to be an open question.

At this point, the amount of Chinese solar panels imported into the U.S. is minimal. Instead, many Chinese firms made investments in Southeast Asia and export solar panels that way. To curb these imports, the U.S. has imposed anti-circumvention duties on solar products from China through certain Southeast Asian countries, and recently announced AD/CVD duties on imports from four South Asian countries taking into account Chinese subsidies. Orders putting these duties into effect are currently scheduled to be issued on June 9.

Natural Graphite

The current tariff rate is set at 20%, with additional 25% Section 301 tariff effective in 2026.

Additional note:  The U.S. government has launched a Section 232 investigation on critical minerals, which could hike up the tariff rate for natural graphite. In addition, China has imposed export controls on natural graphite, further limiting trade in the sector.

Wood Furniture

The current tariff rate is set at 45%, with 20% IEEPA tariffs and 25% Section 301 tariffs.

Additional note: The Trump administration also initiated a Section 232 investigation on wood products, including derivate products such as furniture, which is likely to increase tariffs on this category in the near future.

Syringes and Needles

The current tariff rate is set at 245%, encompassing 20% IEEPA tariffs, 125% reciprocal tariffs, and 100% Section 301 tariffs.

Annexes:

1. Tariff rates for select goods from China

2. Sources:

• U.S. MFN tariff schedule: https://hts.usitc.gov/
• U.S. Section 301 tariff: https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/search
• Exclusions to reciprocal tariffs (smartphones and computers): https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/clarification-of-exceptions-under-executive-order-14257-of-april-2-2025-as-amended/
• Exclusions to reciprocal tariffs (Annex II): https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annex-II.pdf