Trade wars are messy. They're loud, they're expensive, and honestly, they change faster than most small business owners can keep up with. If you've spent any time looking at your bottom line lately, you're probably asking which tariffs are paused so you can finally stop overpaying on your landed costs.
It’s a valid question.
The global trade landscape in 2026 is a patchwork of "will-they-won't-they" politics. For a long time, we saw a massive escalation in duties—especially between the U.S. and China—but lately, there's been a shift toward strategic pauses. Some of these are meant to curb inflation, while others are olive branches in larger diplomatic negotiations. But here's the kicker: a "pause" isn't a "repeal." It's a stay of execution.
The Big One: Section 301 Exclusions and the China Shuffle
When people ask which tariffs are paused, they are usually talking about the Section 301 duties. These are the heavy hitters. We're talking about the levies placed on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods starting back in the Trump administration and largely maintained (or tweaked) by the Biden administration.
For a while, everything was taxed. Toasters, industrial sensors, bicycle parts—you name it. But the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) eventually realized that taxing everything actually hurts American manufacturers who need those parts.
Currently, several hundred specific categories remain under a "pause" via the exclusion process. These aren't broad categories like "electronics." They are surgical. Think "single-speed upright exercise cycles" or "electric motors not exceeding 18.65 W." If your specific product falls under one of these active exclusions, you aren't paying that extra 25%.
Why the "Pause" Feels So Fragile
The USTR doesn't just set these and forget them. They review them constantly. Usually, these pauses are extended for six or twelve months at a time. It's a game of chicken. If you're an importer, you're basically living on borrowed time until the next Federal Register notice drops.
The Boeing-Airbus Truce: A Massive Relief for Luxury Goods
Remember when French wine and Scotch whisky suddenly got 25% more expensive? That was the fallout from a 17-year-old dispute over aircraft subsidies. It was arguably one of the most annoying trade spats in history because it hit industries that had absolutely nothing to do with airplanes.
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Thankfully, that’s one area where we have a very clear answer on which tariffs are paused.
In 2021, the U.S. and the EU (plus the UK) agreed to a five-year suspension of these retaliatory tariffs. We are currently in the middle of that window. This pause covers:
- Irish and Scotch Whiskies
- European cheeses (like Gruyère and Pecorino)
- Wine from France, Spain, and Germany
- Olives and olive oil
It’s a rare win. However, because it’s a five-year deal, the clock is ticking. As we move closer to the end of this decade, trade negotiators are already back at the table trying to turn this pause into a permanent peace treaty. If they fail? Those prices at your local liquor store or high-end grocer are going to skyrocket overnight.
Steel and Aluminum: The "Quota" Compromise
Technically, the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum haven't been "deleted." But for many of our allies, they are effectively paused through something called a Tariff-Rate Quota (TRQ).
Basically, the U.S. told the EU, Japan, and the UK: "We won't tax the first X-amount of steel you send us. After that, the hammer comes down."
For a business, this is a "soft pause." If you source your raw materials early in the year, you’re likely benefiting from the 0% rate. If you wait until December when the quota is filled? You're paying the full 25% on steel or 10% on aluminum. It creates this frantic "rush to import" at the start of every period.
What About the "Green" Tariffs?
There is a lot of noise right now regarding solar panels and battery tech. This is where things get "kinda" complicated.
For a period, the U.S. paused tariffs on solar cells and modules from four Southeast Asian countries (Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam). The goal was simple: we need green energy, and we don't have enough domestic supply yet.
But that pause ended.
Now, we are seeing a shift toward "Antidumping and Countervailing Duties" (AD/CVD). If you are looking for which tariffs are paused in the renewable sector, the answer is "almost none." The government is leaning hard into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to boost local manufacturing, which means the protectionist walls are going back up.
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The Latent Threat of Section 232
There’s always a lingering threat that more items could be labeled as "national security threats." We saw it with automobiles, though those tariffs were never fully triggered. For now, the auto tariff is the ghost in the machine—paused by executive inaction rather than a formal legal filing.
Navigating the Bureaucracy Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re trying to figure out if your specific product is on the "paused" list, don't just take a headline's word for it. You need to look at the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes.
Most people mess this up. They see a news report saying "Tariffs on Chinese electronics paused" and assume their high-end headphones are suddenly cheaper. Usually, it's just the capacitors inside the headphones that got the break.
- Check the USTR Portal. This is the source of truth for Section 301.
- Verify the Expiration Date. A pause today is a bill tomorrow. Most of these expire on the last day of a quarter.
- Talk to a Customs Broker. Seriously. These people live for HTS codes. A good broker can often find a "carve-out" you didn't know existed.
The Reality of the "Permanent" Pause
Is there such a thing as a permanent pause? Not really. In the current geopolitical climate, trade is used as a weapon.
We are seeing a move toward "friend-shoring." This means tariffs are "paused" for countries we like (or need) and ramped up for everyone else. Mexico and Canada generally enjoy a pause on most things thanks to the USMCA, provided the "rules of origin" are met. If you can prove 75% of your truck was made in North America, you're in the clear. If not? The pause evaporates.
Actionable Steps for Importers and Business Owners
You can't control what happens in D.C. or Brussels, but you can control your supply chain.
Audit your HTS codes immediately. Many companies use "lazy" coding. They pick the first category that sounds right. But if you dig deeper, there might be a sub-category that is currently under an exclusion or a pause. It’s worth the weekend of research to potentially save 25% on your next shipment.
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Diversify your origins. If your business relies on a "paused" tariff, you are essentially gambling. Start looking for secondary suppliers in countries that have standing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the U.S. Even if their base price is 10% higher, they are "tariff-proof," which gives you long-term price stability.
Watch the "Sunset" reviews. Tariffs have a habit of coming back. Every few years, the International Trade Commission (ITC) does a "sunset review" to see if a tariff is still needed. If you see one coming up for your industry, that's your cue to start stocking up or shifting your sourcing.
The world of trade isn't a straight line. It's a series of loops, pauses, and sudden pivots. Staying informed on which tariffs are paused isn't just about saving money—it's about making sure your business is still standing when the next trade war heats up.
Check your specific HTS codes against the latest USTR and CBP (Customs and Border Protection) bulletins. Don't wait for the bill to arrive at the port. By then, it's too late to change course.