Figure 2

US tariff rates have climbed recently but were higher during much of history

US average tariff rate, by category, 1790–2025

Source: Irwin, Douglas A., “New Estimates of the Average Tariff of the United States, 1790–1820,” Journal of Economic History 63, no. 2 (2003): 506–13. Data for 1821–2000: Historical Statistics of the United States, Millennial edition, Cambridge University Press. Data for 2000–2025: US International Trade Commission.Download image