Fact Check: American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before a temporary agreement reduced them to 30% in September 2023.

Fact Check: American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before a temporary agreement reduced them to 30% in September 2023.

What We Know

In recent developments regarding U.S.-China trade relations, the United States had imposed tariffs on Chinese goods that reached as high as 145%. This escalation in tariffs was part of a broader trade conflict that intensified in early 2025, with tariffs being raised significantly in response to various trade disputes, including issues related to fentanyl production (NPR, BBC).

On September 12, 2023, a temporary agreement was reached between the U.S. and China to reduce these tariffs. Under this agreement, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports were reduced to 30%, while Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods were lowered to 10% (NPR, Reuters). This reduction was intended to ease the economic strain caused by the high tariffs and was characterized as a significant step towards stabilizing trade relations between the two nations.

Analysis

The claim that U.S. tariffs on China were as high as 145% before being reduced to 30% is supported by multiple credible sources. For instance, NPR reported that U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods were indeed set to drop from 145% to 30% as part of a temporary agreement (NPR). Similarly, the BBC confirmed that the additional tariffs imposed during the trade standoff would fall to 30% from 145% (BBC).

The reliability of these sources is high; NPR is a well-respected news organization known for its thorough reporting, and BBC is similarly regarded for its journalistic integrity. Both outlets provided detailed accounts of the tariff changes and the context surrounding the negotiations.

Additionally, other sources such as Reuters and CBS News corroborated these figures, further solidifying the accuracy of the claim (Reuters, CBS News). The consistency across these reports indicates a strong consensus on the tariff levels before and after the agreement.

Conclusion

The claim that American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before a temporary agreement reduced them to 30% in September 2023 is True. This conclusion is based on multiple credible sources that confirm the tariff levels and the details surrounding the agreement.

Sources

1. Tariffs in the second Trump administration
2. U.S. and China announce deal to temporarily cut tariffs : NPR
3. US-China tariff deal: What does it mean? - BBC
4. US-China trade deal as it happened: Tariffs to be lowered for 90 days ...
5. U.S.-China tariff truce offers temporary relief — and plenty of ...
6. What's in the US-China trade framework? - ABC News
7. Trump Raises Tariffs on China to 145% – Overview and ...
8. US and China agree to temporarily reduce tariffs: What it means for ...