A look at U.S. trade policy through the decades

President Trump has made tariffs – extra sales taxes on stuff imported from other countries – the hallmark of his first 100 days. The media, the voters, and Wall Street have all had strong reactions to the Trump tariffs, but just how much of a departure is this from existing U.S. policy?  

Here is how each of the most recent Presidents said they felt about tariffs and free trade, and what they did about it.  

Donald Trump (2017-2021, 2025- present)  

Words: “To me, the most beautiful word in the dictionary is ‘tariff.’”  

Actions: Implemented “reciprocal tariffs,” which JP Morgan predicts will bring America’s average tariff rate to 23 percent, compared to just over 3 percent when President Trump took office.

Joe Biden (2021-2025) 

Words: “Trump doesn’t get the basics. He thinks his tariffs are being paid by China. Any freshman econ student could tell you that the American people are paying his tariffs.” 

Sidebar: Neither President Biden nor President Trump has this quite right. Tariffs are not paid by foreign countries or by consumers, they are paid by American companies that import stuff. What happens after that – including raising prices for consumers – is up to the company.  

Actions: Implemented 25 percent tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum products, Chinese electric vehicle batteries, and critical minerals to make batteries; 50 percent tariffs on Chinese solar panels and computer chips; and a 100 percent tariff on electric vehicles from China.  

RELATED: A History of Tariffs in the United States 

Barack Obama (2009-2017) 

Words: “The answer is to do trade the right way, by negotiating with other countries so that they raise their labor standards and their environmental standards; and we make sure they don’t impose unfair tariffs on American goods or steal American intellectual property. That’s how we make sure that international rules are consistent with our values — including human rights. And ultimately, that’s how we help raise wages here in America. That’s how we help our workers compete on a level playing field.” 

Actions: Added 35 percent tariffs on tires from China, and 30 percent tariffs on solar panels from China. 

George W. Bush (2001-2009) 

Words: “Since World War II, America has encouraged and benefited from the global advance of free markets, from the strength of democratic alliances, and from the advance of free societies. … Free nations are less likely to threaten and fight each other. And free trade helped make America into a global economic power.” 

Actions: When President Bush took office, America had free trade agreements with only 3 countries. When he left, America was up to 17 free trade agreements. As President, Bush imposed steel tariffs of up to 30 percent on nearly all countries.  

Bill Clinton (1993-2001)  

Words: “Our decision at the end of World War II to create a system of global, expanded, freer trade and the supporting institutions played a major role in creating the prosperity of the American middle class.” 

Actions: Signed the historic North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which reduced tariffs and other trade barriers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.   

George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)  

Words: “I think free trade is going to expand our job opportunity. I think it is exports that have saved us when we’re in a global slowdown, a recession in some countries. It’s free trade, fair trade that needs to be our hallmark, and we need more free trade agreements, not fewer.” 

Actions: Kicked off negotiations for the historic North American Free Trade Agreement.  

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) 

Words: “High tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars. The result is more and more tariffs, higher and higher trade barriers, and less and less competition. …Then the worst happens: Markets shrink and collapse; businesses and industries shut down; and millions of people lose their jobs.” 

Actions: Signed America’s first free trade agreement with another country, the U.S. – Israel Free Trade Agreement, and made a free trade deal with Canada shortly after. President Reagan imposed 100 percent tariffs on Japanese electronics to punish Japan for violating a trade agreement.  

Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)  

Words: “Since World War II, a period of remarkable trade expansion, our experience teaches us that international trade brings strength and growth to economies throughout the world. It serves the cause of peace by enriching the lives of people everywhere.” 

Actions: Signed the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law President Trump is now using to impose tariffs without Congressional approval. President Carter re-established trade relations with China for the first time since the onset of the Cold War. After leaving office, Carter was a vocal supporter of NAFTA in the 1990s. 

Gerald Ford (1974-1977) 

Words: “We can’t afford to make the stupid, serious mistake that was made in the 1930s with the passage of legislation that tried to put a protective ring around the United States with high tariffs and high tariff barriers.” 

Actions: Signed the Trade Act of 1974, another law President Trump is now using to impose tariffs without Congressional approval. President Ford raised oil tariffs by 60 percent, which he said was necessary to protect national security. 

Richard Nixon (1969-1974)  

Words: “The import duty delights me.” 

Actions: Declared a national emergency and imposed a 10 percent tariff on all imports as a temporary measure to protect the value of the dollar.  

Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969)  

Words: “It remains my firm view that liberal trade policies and efforts to achieve the elimination of barriers to fair trade are in the best interests of our Nation and our trading partners.” 

Actions: Retaliated against European tariffs by implementing a 25 percent tariff on light trucks, potato starch, dextrin, and brandy. Signed an “auto pact” with Canada to remove tariffs on vehicles and parts.  

John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) 

Words: “We cannot protect our economy by stagnating behind tariff walls, but that the best protection possible is a mutual lowering of tariff barriers among friendly nations so that all may benefit from a free flow of goods.”  

Actions: Signed the Trade Expansion Act, which gave the President authority to reduce tariffs without Congressional approval. Created the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), tasked with negotiating trade agreements with other countries.