PIIE-特朗普的贸易战时间线梳理（英文）-2020.5-18页_332kb

Trump's Trade War Timeline Summary

Core Content

This document outlines the key events and developments in President Donald Trump's trade war with various countries, particularly China, from 2017 to 2019. It highlights the use of different legal frameworks, such as Section 201 and Section 301 of US trade laws, to justify tariffs and trade restrictions. The trade war led to significant retaliatory measures by trading partners, impacting global trade and the US economy.

Main Battles and Key Events

BATTLE #1: Solar Panel and Washing Machine Imports Injure US Industries

• October 31, 2017: US International Trade Commission (USITC) finds that solar panel and washing machine imports have harmed US industries.
• January 22, 2018: Trump approves safeguard tariffs on $8.5 billion in solar panels and $1.8 billion in washing machines.
• February 5, 2018: China initiates antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on US sorghum, possibly as retaliation.
• April 17, 2018: China imposes preliminary 178.6% antidumping duties on US sorghum.
• May 14–18, 2018: South Korea files a WTO dispute and China temporarily halts retaliatory tariffs during negotiations.
• August 14, 2018: China formally files a WTO dispute against US solar panel tariffs.
• November 15, 2018: Steel tariffs disproportionately hurt small and poor countries.
• December 20, 2018: US steel tariffs create jobs but increase costs for industries reliant on steel.
• May 17, 2019: US lifts steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico.
• June 15, 2019: India retaliates against US steel and aluminum tariffs after losing special trade status.

BATTLE #2: Steel and Aluminum as National Security Threats

• April 20–27, 2017: Trump orders investigations into steel and aluminum imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
• March 1, 2018: Trump announces 25% steel and 10% aluminum tariffs, excluding Canada and Mexico.
• June 1, 2018: US ends exemptions for steel and aluminum tariffs on EU, Canada, and Mexico.
• June 22, 2018: EU retaliates with tariffs on $3.2 billion of US goods, including bourbon and blue jeans.
• July 1, 2018: Canada imposes $12.8 billion in retaliatory tariffs on US products.
• July 16, 2018: US files WTO disputes against Canada, China, EU, Mexico, and Turkey.
• July 24, 2018: US announces $12 billion in subsidies for farmers affected by tariffs.
• August 10, 2018: Trump raises steel tariffs on Turkey to 50% and aluminum to 20%.
• August 23, 2018: US and China impose second phase of $50 billion tariffs.
• September 17–24, 2018: US finalizes $200 billion tariff list, China responds with $60 billion tariffs.
• December 1, 2018: US-China tariff truce announced at G-20, but details remain unclear.
• February 24, 2019: Trump delays tariff increase on $200 billion of Chinese imports.
• May 5–10, 2019: Trump increases tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25%, threatening further actions.
• June 1, 2019: China raises retaliatory tariffs on $36 billion of US exports.

BATTLE #3: Unfair Trade Practices for Technology, Intellectual Property (IP)

• August 18, 2017: US Trade Representative Lighthizer initiates Section 301 investigation into China's trade practices.
• March 22, 2018: US finds China engages in unfair trade practices related to technology and IP.
• April 3–20, 2018: US threatens $50 billion and $200 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods, China retaliates with $50 billion and $60 billion tariffs.
• July 6–23, 2018: First phase of $50 billion and $200 billion tariffs go into effect.
• September 24, 2018: Second phase of tariffs implemented, increasing the US tariff rate on $200 billion of Chinese imports to 25%.
• December 1, 2018: US-China tariff truce announced at G-20, but details remain unclear.

Key Information

• Tariff Impact: The trade war led to the imposition of tariffs on over $500 billion of goods, with the US and China each targeting $50 billion in the first phase.
• Retaliation: Countries like China, South Korea, and Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on US exports, affecting sectors such as agriculture, technology, and consumer goods.
• Legal Frameworks: Trump used Sections 201 and 232 for steel/aluminum tariffs, and Section 301 for investigations into China's IP practices.
• Economic Effects: Tariffs raised prices for US consumers, created jobs in some industries, but also increased costs for businesses reliant on imported materials.
• Subsidies and Negotiations: The US provided subsidies to farmers and engaged in negotiations with China, the EU, and other trade partners to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
• Global Implications: The trade war risked disrupting global trade, with potential long-term effects on the global economy and trade relations.

Summary of Escalation and Retaliation

• The trade war began with targeted tariffs on solar panels and washing machines in 2017 and expanded to steel and aluminum under national security grounds in 2018.
• China retaliated with tariffs on US agricultural and industrial goods, while the EU and Canada followed suit.
• The US escalated its actions with the $50 billion and $200 billion tariffs on Chinese imports, leading to a complex web of retaliatory measures.
• The G-20 meeting in 2018 led to a temporary truce, but tensions remained high, with both sides threatening further increases in tariffs.
• The trade war demonstrated the use of protectionist policies and the potential for trade disputes to affect global supply chains and economic stability.

Conclusion

Trump's trade war was characterized by the use of various legal tools to justify tariffs, leading to significant retaliatory measures by trading partners. The conflict had wide-ranging economic effects, including job creation in some sectors and increased costs for others. The timeline shows a pattern of escalation, negotiation, and partial resolution, with ongoing concerns about the long-term impact on international trade and the global economy.