Tariff – Seal SD

A Comprehensive History of Tariffs Imposed Against the United States

Introduction

Tariffs, taxes imposed on imported goods, have been a cornerstone of international trade for centuries, serving to protect domestic industries, generate revenue, or retaliate against trade policies. For the United States, tariffs imposed by other countries have often been a response to its own protectionist measures or a means to safeguard local markets. This blog post provides a detailed examination of the history of tariffs imposed on U.S. exports, from the 19th century to the present, focusing on key countries such as Canada, China, and the European Union, and listing all nations known to have targeted U.S. goods.

Historical Context and Early Tariffs

Tariffs have been integral to U.S. trade since its founding. The Tariff Act of 1789 was one of the first U.S. laws, imposing a 5% tariff on imports to fund the new government. However, U.S. protectionism sometimes prompted retaliatory tariffs from trading partners. Below, we explore the earliest documented instances, particularly in the 19th century, and trace their evolution through major trade disputes.

19th Century: Canada and European Influence

The 19th century saw limited but significant tariffs against U.S. exports, with Canada being the most prominent case:

Canada: After the Canadian–American Reciprocity Treaty of 1854, which allowed free trade in natural products, was abrogated in 1866, Canada imposed tariffs on U.S. goods to protect its industries. The National Policy of 1879 further raised tariffs to 30-45% on manufactured goods, significantly affecting U.S. exports, as the U.S. was a major supplier.
European Countries: Specific retaliatory tariffs by European nations like Britain are less documented. However, Britain’s mercantilist policies in the early 19th century restricted U.S. trade, likely impacting exports indirectly. The Morrill Tariff of 1861 in the U.S. raised concerns in Europe about trade losses, suggesting potential retaliatory measures, though exact tariffs remain unclear.
Other Regions: Countries like China and Japan had minimal trade with the U.S. in the 19th century, with China’s trade controlled through treaties like the Treaty of Wangxia (1844), and Japan opening to trade later without notable tariffs on U.S. goods. Latin American nations like Mexico and Brazil had tariffs, but these were not specifically aimed at the U.S.

20th Century: Documented Retaliatory Tariffs

The 20th century marked a rise in documented retaliatory tariffs against the U.S., often in response to its own protectionist policies. Key instances include:

Year	Event	Country Imposing Tariffs	Tariff Details	Impact or U.S. Response
1930	Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act	Canada, Britain, Germany, France	Canada: Tariffs on 16 U.S. products (about a third of U.S. exports). Others: Bilateral trade deals and tariffs.	U.S. exports dropped 61% by 1933, worsening the Great Depression.
1962	Chicken War	EEC (France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg)	Increased tariff on U.S. poultry to 13.43 cents per pound (~$1.40 today).	U.S. retaliated with tariffs on potato starch, brandy, dextrin, and trucks.
1982	Lumber War	Canada	Tariffs on U.S. lumber; ongoing disputes with 14% tariff on Canadian lumber in U.S.	Multiple rounds of tariffs; U.S. imports nearly half its wood from Canada.
1987	Japanese Automobiles	Japan	No immediate tariffs; economic impact from U.S. tariffs led to yen appreciation.	U.S. imposed 100% tariffs on $300M Japanese imports, mainly automobiles.
1993	Banana Split	EU	Tariffs on Latin American bananas, affecting U.S. interests.	U.S. imposed 100% tariffs on European goods like cashmere and cheese; resolved by 2009.
2002	Steel War	EU	Threatened tariffs on $2.2B U.S. products (e.g., oranges, motorcycles).	U.S. lifted steel tariffs in 2003 after WTO ruling.

21st Century: Modern Trade Wars

The 21st century, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration, saw a resurgence of tariff wars:

2018-2020: Trump’s First Tariff War
- Canada: Imposed 25% and 10% tariffs on U.S. products like steel, whiskey, and yogurt in response to U.S. 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs.
- China: Imposed tariffs up to 178.6% on sorghum and 25% on 128 U.S. products, including soybeans and aeroplanes, retaliating against U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.
- EU: Imposed tariffs on U.S. goods like bourbon and motorcycles in response to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs.
- Mexico: Imposed tariffs on U.S. steel, pork, and whiskey.
2025: Escalation Under Trump’s Second Term
- Canada: Announced 25% tariffs on $155 billion of U.S. goods starting March 4, 2025, in response to U.S. 25% tariffs on Canadian imports, citing issues like fentanyl and immigration (Canada Tariff Response).
- China: Escalated tariffs to 125% on all U.S. imports by April 11, 2025, in response to U.S. tariffs rising to 145%.
- Mexico: Planned retaliatory tariffs by March 9, 2025, in response to U.S. tariffs.
- EU and India: Signaled potential tariffs in response to U.S. tariff threats, though specifics are pending.

Comprehensive List of Countries Imposing Tariffs on U.S. Exports

Below is a list of countries known to have imposed tariffs on U.S. exports, based on historical and recent records:

Country	Periods of Tariff Imposition	Key Details
Canada	19th Century, 1930, 1982, 2018, 2025	Post-1866 tariffs, National Policy (1879: 30-45%), Smoot-Hawley retaliation, lumber disputes, 2018 steel tariffs, 2025 $155B tariffs.
China	2018-2020, 2025	2018: Up to 178.6% on sorghum, 25% on soybeans; 2025: 125% on all U.S. imports.
European Union	1962, 1993, 2002, 2018	1962: Poultry tariffs; 1993: Banana tariffs; 2002: Steel retaliation; 2018: Steel and aluminum retaliation.
France	1930, 1962	Smoot-Hawley retaliation; part of EEC in Chicken War.
Britain	1930	Smoot-Hawley retaliation with tariffs and trade deals.
Germany	1930, 1962	Smoot-Hawley retaliation; part of EEC in Chicken War.
Italy	1962	Part of EEC in Chicken War.
Belgium	1962	Part of EEC in Chicken War.
Netherlands	1962	Part of EEC in Chicken War.
Luxembourg	1962	Part of EEC in Chicken War.
Spain	1930	Smoot-Hawley retaliation.
Japan	1987	Economic impact from U.S. automobile tariffs; no direct tariffs imposed.
Mexico	2018, 2025	2018: Tariffs on steel, pork; 2025: Planned retaliatory tariffs.
India	2018-2019	10-50% tariffs on $10.6B U.S. goods like apples and chemicals.

Challenges and Limitations

Documenting early tariffs, especially from the 19th century, is challenging due to limited historical records. While Canada’s tariffs are well-documented, European retaliatory tariffs are often implied rather than detailed. The focus of historical literature on U.S. tariff policies rather than foreign retaliation adds complexity. Recent data, particularly for 2025, is dynamic, with some countries’ responses still developing.

Conclusion

The history of tariffs imposed against the U.S. reflects a complex interplay of economic protectionism and retaliation. From Canada’s 19th-century National Policy to modern trade wars with China and the EU, these tariffs have shaped U.S. trade relations and global markets. As trade tensions persist in 2025, understanding this history provides critical context for navigating the ongoing debate between protectionism and free trade.