When we termed this article series the TFG “tariff tracker,” we were aiming for, if nothing else, a descriptive title, assuming the worst we would be covering would be high import fees and lopsided trade deals. However, the trade war between US President Donald Trump and pretty much every other country on earth is raging on, and its weapons of choice are only growing more varied. 

China’s stringent export restrictions on rare earth minerals, crucial for technology from fighter jets to medical equipment, have been stifling supply chains around the world and drawing US ire. Trump, in response, has threatened an extra 100% tariffs for a total that almost tops those in effect for a few days during the very beginning of the trade war. 

Elsewhere, US attention has mostly shifted away from India despite the latter’s continued purchases of Russian oil, while a trade deal with Canada seems to be drawing closer. So, what happened in the past few months of the global trade war?

22 August 2025: Canada removes retaliatory tariffs on USMCA goods

Goods that fall under the US-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement (USMCA) were exempt from any tariffs in the past, but Canada had removed the exemption in response to US tariff announcements in April. 

28 August 2025: Over 30 countries stop postal service to the US as de minims exception runs out

The temporary halt in parcel deliveries was caused by the much higher import fees, which need to be paid by the delivery company before the good can enter the US. 

29 August 2025: US Federal Court of Appeals rules most recent US tariffs are illegal

The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on 5 November, but tariffs will stay in place until then.  

5 September 2025: US cuts tariffs on Japanese cars to 15%, formalising July’s trade agreement

The 15% rate applies to almost all Japanese exports to the US, and replaces the 25% tariff the US imposed on all foreign cars in May. 

26 September 2025: Trump announces new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, heavy-duty trucks, and kitchen cabinets

The tariffs include a 100% levy on branded or patented medicine imports, which will be waived if the company is planning to build a factory in the US. 

29 September 2025: US expands criteria for Chinese companies facing export restrictions

The Entity List, a blacklist of companies that the US determined pose a threat to its national security, was expanded to include not only the companies directly named but also any of their subsidiaries, vastly expanding the number of entities affected by export controls.

While this technically impacts firms around the world, it is expected to have the biggest impact on Chinese companies, including giants like tech firm Huawei and drone maker DJI. 

9 October: China imposes more stringent rare earth minerals export restrictions

The new restrictions require countries to get a government license to export even trace amounts of rare earth metals, and expanded the list of controlled materials, meaning in practice many more exporters will be affected. 

This has been disrupting technology supply chains across the world, with many fearing it will cause shortages and delays. China is by far the world’s largest extractor, refiner, and exporter of rare earth minerals, the crucial raw materials used in microprocessor production. 

10 October 2025: Trump threatens 100% tariffs on China, again

In retaliation to the rare earth minerals restrictions, Trump said on social media he would impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports starting in November, accusing China of becoming “very hostile” in negotiating.

This led US markets to fall by 2.7%, their biggest loss since the Liberation Day announcements. 

14 October 2025: Port fees and timber tariffs come into effect

The US announced fees of $50 per container on Chinese ships docking at US ports, which would effectively impose a tariff of about $4 million for every 15,000 TEU ship carrying goods to the US. China returned the favour, enacting identical fees on US ships docking at Chinese ports from the same date. These fees are set to rise in 2028 if a deal isn’t reached before then.

The 10% tariff on softwood lumber will see Canadian imports, the biggest US source of the material, face a total 45% levy. The 25% tariff on furniture is set to double in January unless deals are reached to lower it. 

10 November 2025: Third 90-day pause on higher US-China tariffs runs out

For those keeping track at home, that’s the third extension that’s been granted, for a total of 182 days since 12 May, when the first break was announced. This follows other extensions in early 2025 on low-value packages from China and goods protected under the USMCA.

Until last month, many would have expected yet another delay, as both Trump and Xi Jinping waited for tensions to ease before going back to the negotiating table. However, the past week’s escalations make it more and more realistic for the pause to truly live up to its name, and run out once and for all in November. 

Click here for a full timeline of how we got here and where we are now.