U.S. China Tariffs Average 36 Percent in 2026 After Peak of 164 Percent Last Year

Welcome to China Tariff News and Tracker, listeners. As of late March 2026, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports average 36 percent following last year's dramatic escalations and deescalations, according to the Congressional Research Service. The Wire China reports that after peaking at 164 percent in April 2025 under President Trump's aggressive hikes via the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, both sides climbed down through negotiations, including a key Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea last October. Current tariffs rely on Sections 301, 232, and the newly invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 122 imposed a 10 percent global tariff on February 24—the first such use—while Section 301 hits 100 percent on Chinese EVs, 50 percent on semiconductors and solar modules, and Section 232 targets 50 percent on steel, aluminum, and derivatives for national security. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs in February, forcing this pivot, as detailed in The Wire China. These measures have slashed the U.S.-China trade deficit by a third to $202.1 billion in 2025, per U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data, with U.S. imports from China at six-year lows. Yet supply chains shifted to Vietnam and Taiwan, ballooning deficits there to $178.2 billion and $146.8 billion respectively. China maintains dominance in rare earths at nearly 70 percent of global production, prompting export control delays in fall talks. Fresh friction emerged this month: The U.S. Trade Representative launched Section 301 probes into 60 economies including China over forced labor and excess capacity in 16 partners, per Beijing Review. Meanwhile, in Paris on March 15-16, Vice Premier He Lifeng and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent held candid talks, reaffirming dialogue on tariffs and trade amid China's record $1.2 trillion global surplus last year and $214 billion in early 2026, as noted by Finimize and China Development Forum coverage. Premier Li Qiang pledged to boost imports, widen services access, and embrace free trade without seeking surpluses. China opposes unilateral U.S. tariffs and vows to safeguard interests, while both sides eye new mechanisms for investment and stability. With ongoing Paris talks injecting certainty, listeners, the tariff wars reshape global chains—but de-risking remains tough. Thanks for tuning in, listeners—subscribe now for weekly updates. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. For more check out https://www.quietperiodplease.com/ Avoid ths tariff fee's and check out these deals https://amzn.to/4iaM94Q This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.