Archive · 28 Sep 2026
US-China Reveal $30 Billion Reciprocal Tariff Reduction Framework
The United States and China have planned a deal to lower tariffs on selected goods.
Each country would cover about $30 billion of products from the other country.
About 90 percent of the listed goods could receive normal trading-partner tariff rates.
This does not mean all tariffs will disappear.
China may lower tariffs on several US farm products, but soybeans are not included in the latest list.
China will also include US coal imports in the arrangement.
The countries plan to create groups to discuss trade, investment, farming and artificial intelligence.
The tariff changes will begin only after both countries complete their legal procedures.
The United States and China plan to reduce tariffs on about $30 billion of goods imported from each other.
China says roughly 90 percent of products in each basket could move to most-favoured-nation tariff rates.
Covered products include farm goods, seafood, wood products, cosmetics, medical devices and consumer goods.
Soybeans are excluded from China’s latest reduction list and still face an additional 10 percent tariff.
The arrangement also covers US coal imports and creates councils for trade, investment, agriculture and artificial intelligence.
- Who
- The governments of the United States and China, including President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.
- What
- A planned reciprocal tariff-reduction framework covering about $30 billion of goods in each direction.
- When
- The details were disclosed days after Trump and Xi met in Washington; implementation will follow completion of domestic legal procedures.
- Where
- Between the United States and China, covering goods traded between the two countries.
- Why
- To provide more favourable tariff treatment for selected non-sensitive goods and improve bilateral trade.
- Trade coverage
- About $30 billion of goods from each country
- Potential tariff treatment
- Around 90 percent of products in each basket could move to most-favoured-nation rates
- US agricultural products
- Potentially covered categories include corn, wheat, sorghum, vegetable oils, meat and dairy products
- Soybean tariff
- US soybeans are excluded from the latest list and continue to face an additional 10 percent tariff
- Coal commitment
- The White House says China will import at least 10 million metric tonnes of US coal in 2027 and 2028
- Soybean purchases
- Chinese state-owned companies have bought more than 12 million metric tonnes of US soybeans, according to Reuters
- New mechanisms
- The countries plan trade and investment councils, an agriculture working group and continued artificial intelligence dialogue