Which Countries Have the Highest Tariffs?

Tariffs have historically been implemented by nations as a way to protect their home products from being underpriced by foreign competition. In modern times, they have largely been abolished as nations sign mutual trade agreements to take advantage of opportunities for their products abroad.

However, this may be changing. In February 2025, President Trump announced a 25% additional tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China. These tariffs were put on pause for 30 days for goods from Mexico and Canada, while the tariffs on goods from China went into effect.1 China retaliated with its own tariffs on goods from the U.S.

Tariffs also exist in less developed countries that are struggling to grow their domestic industries or are seeking a steady source of revenue.

The downside is high prices for domestic goods and even higher prices for imports once the tariffs are factored into the price.

Tariff analysis is complicated, as different rates apply to various products from various partners. Moreover, the listed or "bound" rates often do not match applied rates. The tariff rankings listed below are based on the World Bank's "weighted mean applied tariff" figures, which account for the volume of imports from different partners, as of 2022 (the latest data available).

The 10 countries with the highest import tariffs as of 2022 are listed below. It is important to note, however, that reliable information is missing for dozens of countries and the last reported figures for some are older than 2022.

Highest Tariffs

Source: World Bank, 2022 data

As the examples above indicate, less-developed countries tend to have the highest trade barriers. Developed countries are generally less restrictive. For example, most of the countries in Europe have an applied tariff rate of less than 2.31%. This may not remain the case, however, as political opposition to pro-trade policies spreads in the developed world.2

Lowest Tariffs

Below are the 10 countries with the lowest tariffs.

Source: World Bank, 2022 data

Tariffs vs. Free Trade

When Adam Smith published "The Wealth of Nations" in 1776, international trade was largely defined by extremely restrictive import tariffs and quotas. His influence contributed to a consensus among economists that lowering trade barriers encourages economic growth.

That consensus was particularly strong among Western economists in the second half of the 20th century, leading to a general decline in tariffs around the world.

Many tariffs still exist, however, even among the most free-market countries. As mentioned above, in February 2025, the U.S. implemented a 25% additional tariff on imports from Mexico and China, and a 10% additional tariff on imports from China. In addition, Japan favors its rice farmers through high import duties. The U.S. does the same for its peanut farmers.

Based on this broader view of trade barriers, the Fraser Institute compiled a ranking of countries based on openness to trade in 2022 (the latest figures), as depicted below.

The Bottom Line

Many nations have abolished tariffs and signed free trade agreements to pursue foreign markets for their goods.

There are exceptions, however. The United States has protective tariffs in place for certain products, including paper clips, tuna fish, tobacco, and peanuts.

Other countries, most of them smaller and less developed, continue to impose tariffs as a way to encourage local production and raise government revenue.