Fact Check: American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before an agreement last month temporarily lowered them to 30%.

Fact Check: "American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before an agreement last month temporarily lowered them to 30%."

What We Know

The claim states that American tariffs on China reached as high as 145% before a recent agreement reduced them to 30%. This assertion is supported by multiple credible sources. According to a timeline from the Associated Press, the U.S. imposed a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, which was later reduced to 30% as part of a trade agreement reached on May 12, 2025 (AP News). Similarly, the BBC confirmed that the U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports would decrease from 145% to 30% as part of this truce (BBC). Other reports from NPR and the New York Times corroborate this information, detailing the specifics of the tariff reductions (NPR, NY Times).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple reputable news outlets confirming the details of the tariff escalation and subsequent reduction. The Associated Press provides a detailed timeline of events leading to the tariff increase, including the context of a trade war initiated by President Trump, which saw tariffs escalate dramatically (AP News). The BBC and NPR also provide clear accounts of the tariff levels before and after the agreement, emphasizing the significant drop from 145% to 30% (BBC, NPR).

The sources used in this analysis are credible and well-regarded in the field of journalism. The Associated Press is known for its factual reporting, while the BBC and NPR are respected international news organizations. The consistency across these sources lends additional weight to the claim's validity.

However, it is important to note that while the nominal tariff rate was indeed set at 145%, the effective rate on many goods may have varied due to exemptions and other factors. Nonetheless, the claim accurately reflects the stated tariff levels as reported in the sources.

Conclusion

The claim that American tariffs on China were as high as 145% before an agreement lowered them to 30% is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that these tariff levels were accurate, and the reduction was part of a formal agreement between the U.S. and China.

Sources

1. A timeline of the US-China tariff and trade spat since President Trump
2. US-China tariff deal: What does it mean? - BBC
3. Busiest US seaport takes hit from 145% China tariffs
4. U.S. and China announce deal to temporarily cut tariffs: NPR
5. U.S. and China Reach Deal to Temporarily Slash Tariffs - NY Times
6. US-China trade deal as it happened: Tariffs to be lowered for 90 days
7. Tariffs in the second Trump administration - Wikipedia
8. US-China Tariff Rates - What Are They Now?