The United States is keeping a 100% additional tariff on covered electric vehicles from China as a second four-year trade review proceeds, preserving a steep cost barrier for importers.
In an Oct. 7, 2026, notice, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) confirmed that its China tariff actions would continue in their modified form. Domestic industry representatives had asked to keep them in place. USTR began the second statutory review with a May 6 notice and said it would provide more details later.
The 100% rate applies to specified categories of vehicles imported from China, rather than every electric vehicle or every Chinese-brand vehicle. It rose from 25% on Sept. 27, 2024. The duty raises the cost of importing covered vehicles but does not ban them.
Before the increase, most electric vehicle imports from China faced a combined 27.5% duty, according to a research briefing by U.S. International Trade Commission staff. The briefing valued those imports at $388.8 million in 2023, equal to 2% of total U.S. electric vehicle imports. Those figures predate the 100% rate.
A separate 25% tariff on covered imported passenger vehicles and light trucks from all countries began April 3, 2025. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says that duty is collected alongside any other applicable additional duties.
USTR has linked the China measures to its inquiry into technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation. It said the higher electric vehicle tariff was meant to encourage sourcing outside China and investment in U.S. electric vehicle production.
A commission study found that U.S. importers bore nearly all the cost of earlier Section 301 tariffs during 2018–21. It did not assess the later electric vehicle increase, so that finding does not establish who bears the cost of the 100% rate.
A forthcoming USTR notice will explain how the public can comment on the tariffs’ results and their effects on the U.S. economy, including consumers. The Oct. 7 notice set no date for a decision.
