Monday's announcement of a temporary reduction in import tariffs is only the latest chapter in a nearly eight-year trade dispute that began during President Donald Trump's first term.The agreement, which followed discussions between American and Chinese representatives in Geneva, was described by the White House as a demonstration of "Trump's unparalleled expertise in securing deals that benefit the American people."Timeline: How Tariffs on China Have EvolvedApril, 2017After placing heavy emphasis on trade deficits and China's role in them during the campaign, Trump meets with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where the pair agree to a 100-day plan for trade dialogues.January, 2018The Trump administration announces 30-percent tariffs on imported solar cells and tariffs ranging from 20 to 50 percent on certain washing machines. Together, the tariffs target over $10 billion worth of imports, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics.March, 2018Trump announces tariffs of 25 percent on global imports of steel and 10 percent on aluminum.April, 2018Beijing responds to the tariffs on solar panels and washing machines with duties on U.S. imports of metals, fruits and wine. In addition, Beijing announces antidumping duties of nearly 180 percent on U.S. imports of the cereal crop sorghum.The U.S. responds to the retaliatory tariffs with a 25-percent tariff on Chinese products in the aerospace, machinery and medical industries. China again retaliates with tariffs up to 25 percent on over 100 U.S. products including aircraft and soybeans.June-August 2018The two countries continue to exchange retaliatory tariffs throughout the summer, impacting an estimated $250 billion worth of Chinese goods and $110 worth of U.S. imports, according to AP.December, 2018-May, 2019Trump raises tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports to 25 percent after a breakdown in negotiations between the two nations.January, 2020The U.S. and China strike a provisional trade deal, requiring China to increase its purchases of U.S. energy and farm products and services by $200 billion.Trump announces new tariffs on steel and aluminum products, primarily impacting imports from Taiwan, Japan, the European Union, and China.January, 2021Joe Biden is sworn in and chooses to largely maintain the tariffs on Chinese imports implemented under his predecessor. Trade Representative Katherine Tai explained the decision in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in March, arguing that "yanking off tariffs" could deal damage to the economy, and that the trade measures had granted the U.S. certain "leverage" in future negotiations with Beijing.February, 2022Biden extends Trump's 15-percent tariff on imported solar energy equipment by four years, pushing their expiry to 2026.October, 2022Biden imposes new restrictions on the export of semiconductors and chipmaking equipment to China, restrictions that are expanded throughout the remainder of his presidency.February, 2024During an interview with Fox News, Trump proposes a 60-percent across-the-board tariff on Chinese imports if re-elected, adding: "Maybe it's going to be more than that."May, 2024Biden significantly increases tariffs on Chinese solar panels, steel, aluminum, and medical devices.September, 2024The administration finalizes the tariff hikes announced in May. From September 27, rates increase to 100 percent for electric vehicles, 50 percent for solar cells, and 25 percent on EV batteries, critical minerals, steel, aluminum and ship-to-shore cranes.January, 2025Trump is sworn into office, promising in his inaugural address to "tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens."February, 2025Trump increases tariffs on all Chinese imports by 10 percent. China retaliates with 10 to 15 percent tariffs on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas products, as well as agricultural equipment. Trump also announces a 25-percent tariff on all steel and aluminum products coming into the U.S., which comes into effect in mid-March.March, 2025China's duties are raised by a further 10 percent to a 20 percent baseline. Beijing again responds with new tariffs on U.S. agricultural products.In late March, Trump announces a 25-percent tariff on automobiles and certain auto parts, the former coming into effect on April 3.April, 2025On April 2—"Liberation Day"—Trump announces reciprocal tariffs on dozens of America's trading partners. China is slapped with a 34-percent reciprocal tariff, due to what the administration calculated as its own 67-percent tariff on U.S. imports. The White House confirms that this is in addition to the other duties on Chinese products.China responds by announcing a 34-percent tariff on U.S. goods, alongside export controls on rare earth minerals, and Trump threatens an additional 50-percent tariff if the country refuses to back down. Beijing declares its intention to "fight till the end," and Trump imposes the threatened 84-percent tariff, raising China's total to 104 percent.China again retaliates with an 84-percent tariff on U.S. goods. Trump immediately fires back by increasing taxes on Chinese imports to 145 percent.Trump announces a 90-day pause on the new tariffs on April 9, with the exception of China, which raises its tariffs on U.S. imports to 125 percent.The U.S. later announces that smartphones and computers will be exempt from the reciprocal tariffs, while China also quietly walks back tariffs on certain semiconductor and integrated circuit products.May, 2025During testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on May 6, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announces that he will meet with a Chinese delegation during a visit to Switzerland.Bessent, alongside U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, meet with Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China, He Lifeng in Geneva. After two days of talks, the two countries release a joint statement outlining a significant but temporary reduction in the tariffs, and affirming their commitment to further trade negotiations.What Happens Next?The 90-day reduction in the tariffs will begin on May 14. The agreement will see both countries lower their tariff by 115 percent—resulting in a 10 percent rate for U.S. products entering China, and a 30 percent tariff on Chinese imports to the U.S. The 20-percent duties aimed at Beijing for its role in the fentanyl trade remain in place. China has also agreed to "suspend or remove" nontariff countermeasures on the U.S., which includes the export restrictions placed on rare earths.