Decades of Tariffs

1789

The Tariff Act of 1789

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1861

The Morrill Tariff

1812

Tariff of 1812

1846

The Walker Tariffs

1828

Tariff of Abominations

1807

The Embargo Act of 1807

1800

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17 00

1789-2025

DECADES OF

With tariffs dominating headlines since early 2018, many might wonder what the story is behind such policies. Tariffs are essentially a tax to be paid on imports or exports and have a long history of use in the United States – beginning just after gaining independence as a nation. Explore this interactive timeline to discover the very first uses of tariffs and the reasons behind their creation.

Tariff Policies

1990

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1995

World Trade Organization

1994

Protectionist Policies

1930

Tariff Act of 1930

1974

THE TRADE ACT OF 1974

1947

The GATT Tariff

1913

the Underwood Tariff

1900

1865

Next

The Reconstruction Era

18 00

2025

"Liberation Day"

2025

145% Tariff

2025

Elevating the Tariffs

2025

China's retaliation

2025

New Trump Tariffs

2020

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2019

Chinese Tariffs

Next

2000

2018

Trump Tariffs

Check out some of our latest articles on Tariffs.

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America’s Tariff Rate Hits the Highest Level Since 1909—And That’s Before Retaliation

Copper and Gold Soar as Trump’s Trade War Reshapes Global Markets

Gold Smashes Through $3,000 as Recession Fears Mount

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Tariffs have played a significant role in U.S. economic policy for centuries, serving as a tool for generating government revenue and protecting domestic industries from foreign competition. With Donald Trump back in office, his administration has moved swiftly to reinstate and increase tariffs, targeting China, Mexico, and Canada. These measures are aimed at bolstering American manufacturing, reducing trade deficits, and addressing concerns over national security and economic self-sufficiency. However, they have also sparked retaliatory actions from trading partners, raising concerns about potential economic repercussions.

To Be Continued...

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1789

The Tarriff Act of 1789

The Tariff Act of 1789 was designed to protect manufacturing in the U.S. and generate revenue for the government. It was the first major piece of legislation passed since the ratification of the Constitution and was signed by President George Washington. After the American Revolution, the U.S. was unable to reach trade deals with most European nations and needed to prevent a flood of foreign goods from damaging domestic manufacturers.

1861

The Morrill Tariffs

Rates slowly lowered from 1846 onward; however, the North was still unhappy. The Morrill Tariff was implemented shortly before President Abraham Lincoln took office, and was only passed because the Southern Senators walked out when their respective states left the Union. The Civil War had begun and rates were raised due to the cash needed for wartime.

1913

The Underwood Tariff

The 16th amendment was ratified, which permanently legalized the income tax. Tariffs were then lowered with the Underwood Tariff since income tax was now the main source of generating revenue for the government.

Washington State Archives/Digital Archives

1930

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff

The Tariff Act of 1930, also known as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, was a protectionist policy that raised tariffs to a near historic high and resulted in reciprocal tariffs from most trading partners. Consensus view is that the tariffs actually exacerbated the effects of the 1929 stock market crash, rather than aid in recovery. Imports and exports during the Great Depression dropped by more than half. The average tariff rate on dutiable imports rose from 40.1 percent in 1929 to 59.1 percent in 1932.

1995

World Trade Organization (WTO)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) was formed in January 1995 under the Marrakesh Agreement and was signed by 123 nations, replacing GATT. It is the largest international economic organization in the world and deals with regulation of trade between participating countries. The WTO also has a dispute resolution process and prohibits discrimination between trading partners, although does provide some exceptions.

2018

Trump's Steel Tariffs

President Donald Trump announced a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports, after earlier in the year announcing a tariff on imported solar panels and washing machines. Nearly a year after imposition, the U.S., Canada and Mexico reached a deal to remove the tariffs in May 2019.

March 3, 2025

Trump's New Tariffs

President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada and increased tariffs on Chinese goods by 10%, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking.

1807

The Embargo Act

The Embargo Act of 1807 prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. President Thomas Jefferson passed the Act in response to the British-French war, which saw American ships seized by both sides, since the U.S. was neutral in the conflict.

1865

The Reconstruction Era

After the Civil War, tariffs remained high to protect Northern manufacturers, with levels averaging 38 to 52 percent from 1865 to 1913, as U.S. manufacturing and imports grew. During this period, the U.S. also struggled to integrate freed slaves into society. The Reconstruction era saw the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and secured voting rights for African American men.

1828

Tariff of Abominations

The Tariff of 1828, known by many in the South as the “Tariff of Abominations,” was created during the presidency of John Quincy Adams to protect the industry in the North. It set a 38 percent tax on 92 percent of imported goods and a 45 percent tax on raw materials, such as tobacco and cotton. This was one of the first major issues that began to divide the North and the South leading up to the Civil War.

1812

The Tariffs of 1812

Ultimately the War of 1812 broke out between the U.S. and Britain due to Britain blocking off neutral trade with France. Tariffs were raised after the war to generate income for the government and continue to protect U.S. industries from the influx of cheaper British goods.

1974

The Trade Act of 1974

The Trade Act of 1974 was passed to create fast track authority for the president to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or disapprove, but cannot amend or filibuster. The Act was meant to help the U.S. become more competitive and give the president tariff negotiating authority.

March 4, 2025

Chinese Retaliation Tariffs

China retaliated by imposing a 15% tariff on U.S. agricultural products, including chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and a 10% tariff on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. ​

Stanford University Library

1947

The General Agreement Tariff

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was signed by 23 nations in Geneva following World War II to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating tariffs and quotas. This remained in place until a larger agreement was signed in 1995.

2019

Chinese Tariffs

President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Chinese imports due to Chinese theft of U.S. intellectual property. China then imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on American imports. Several additional rounds of tariffs have been levied and the so called “trade war” remains ongoing as of June 2019, despite multiple rounds of negotiating between the two nations.

1994

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Protectionist policies had largely been dropped during the Reagan and Bush administrations in favor of minimal economic barriers to global trade. In 1994 the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was ratified to ease trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

1846

The Walker Tariffs

In 1846, after James K. Polk was elected president, he signed the Walker Tariff, which was crafted by Robert J. Walker, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time. The tariff aimed to unite the North and South by implementing a “tariff for revenue only” (at this point, there was no income tax). Its goal was to fund the government without favoring one region over the other. The Walker Tariff set average tariffs at around 25 percent, which helped appease the South but still angered the North.

April 8-9, 2025

Elevated tariffs for most countries are suspended for 90 days to allow for trade negotiations. ​The 10% universal tariff remains in effect.​Tariffs on Chinese goods are increased to 125%.China responds with tariffs up to 125% on U.S. products. China imposes an 84% levy on U.S. goods in retaliation. ​

April 11, 2025

Tariffs on Chinese goods reach 145%, marking a significant escalation in the trade conflict

April 2, 2025

"Liberation Day"

A 10% universal tariff is imposed on all imports.​Higher tariffs (11%–50%) are announced for 57 countries, based on trade deficits.​ Markets react negatively, with significant declines.