Geopolitical tensions

Total: (Last update: June 24, 2025)

• Canada has announced strengthened measures to support its steel and aluminum sectors, including adjustments to existing counter-tariffs on related products effective July 21, with tariff levels to reflect progress made in broader trade discussions with the United States. (19/06/2025)
• United States President signs an Executive Order to implement the Economic Prosperity Deal with the UK, reducing tariffs on UK autos and aerospace goods while conditionally capping steel and aluminum tariffs at 25% (below the global 50% rate). (16/06/2025)
• Chinese Taipei has updated its list of entities responsible for the export of strategic high-tech goods to include 601 entities involved in arms expansion, including Chinese enterprises such as Huawei and SMIC. (15/06/2025)  
• United States announced changes to Annex 1 of Proclamation 10896, adding additional steel derivative products subject to a 50% tariff effective June 23. These include refrigerator-freezers, dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, freezers, cooking stoves/ranges/ovens, food waste disposals, and welded wire racks. (13/06/2025)
• China announced zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, or all African countries except Eswatini. (11/06/2025)
• United States Court of Appeals allowed the U.S. IEEPA tariff to remain in effect while it reviews a lower-court decision blocking them on grounds that he had exceeded his authority by imposing them. This implies that the 10% reciprocal tariffs and fentanyl tariffs will continue to be collected. (11/06/2025)
• Viet Nam firms sign 20 MoUs worth $3 billion to import U.S. agricultural products. (09/06/2025)
• United States CBP updated the attachment containing the list of steel and aluminum HTS subject to Section 232, corresponding to the June 3, 2025, announcement. (09/06/2025)
• United States President Trump signed executive orders to prioritize U.S.-made drones for federal use, enhance airspace security, enable routine BVLOS operations, support vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and require security reviews for foreign drones. (06/06/2025)
• United States opens public comment process on proposed modifications to certain aspects of Section 301 ships investigation. Comments due July 7, 2025. (06/06/2025)
• United States extends Section 301 exclusions on Chinese goods. The exclusions, previously set to expire on May 31, 2025, are now extended through August 31, 2025. (31/05/2025)
• United States announces doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, 2025, under Section 232. The United Kingdom is exempt, pending finalization of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. (30/05/2025)
• United States delays proposed 50% tariffs on the European Union, extending trade negotiations until July 9, 2025. (26/05/2025)
• China suspends non-tariff countermeasures imposed on April 4, 2025, for 90 days, and indefinitely suspends those from April 9, 2025. (15/05/2025)
• United States launched Section 232 national security investigations into imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines and their parts. (13/05/2025)
• United States reduces de minimis tariffs on low-value imports from China (including Hong Kong and Macao), from 120% to 54% or a flat specific duty rate of $100 per package, effective May 14, 2025. (13/05/2025)
• China suspends tariffs under Geneva Joint Statement. Tariffs of 34% (CTC No. 4) are reduced by 24 points for 90 days; 84% (CTC No. 5) and 125% (CTC No. 6) tariffs are fully removed. (12/05/2025)
• United States suspends tariffs under Geneva Joint Statement. Tariffs of 34% (EO 14257) are reduced by 24 points for 90 days. Tariffs of 84% (EO 14259) and 125% (EO 14266) are fully removed. A 20% IEEPA tariff remains in place. (12/05/2025)
• United States and United Kingdom define terms of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), aimed at preferential tariff reductions for beef, ethanol, UK steel, aluminum, automotive, and pharmaceutical products. The deal is not yet legally binding. (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)

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)