Chinese Imports Fell During Trump's First Term. It's Happening Again.

President Trump recently delayed for 90 days raising tariffs on China to give the two sides more time to negotiate a trade deal.

- Chao Deng & Peter Santilli

Where the sides ultimately end up is an open question: The president hasn't said how much more he will impose on China beyond the 30% currently in place if a deal isn't reached.

But this much is clear: The U.S.'s reliance on Chinese goods has fallen off since Trump first put tariffs on China in 2018.

China now accounts for only about 12% of all U.S. imports, down from a peak of 22% in 2018, according to 12-month rolling data from the U.S. Census. The U.S. deficit with China, which Trump has often railed against, has shrunk to about $280 billion, based on 12-month rolling data. The peak was $418 billion in December 2018.

During Trump's first term, U.S. imports of Chinese goods declined soon after tariffs were imposed, and bottomed out during the pandemic.