Archive · 24 Sep 2026
US and China Extend Trade Truce Through January
The United States and China have been in a trade fight involving tariffs and restrictions on important goods.
They had made a temporary agreement to lower some of those tensions.
Scott Bessent said the agreement will continue for two more months, until January 10.
China has not yet confirmed that it agrees with the extension.
The extra time could be used to negotiate a bigger deal.
The countries may discuss buying goods, technology rules and artificial intelligence.
They also disagree about Taiwan and other security issues.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Washington.
The two countries want stable relations, but serious disagreements could still restart the trade conflict.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US-China trade truce will be extended from November 10 to January 10.
Chinese officials have not publicly confirmed the extension, according to the report.
The extension is intended to allow negotiations on a potentially broader economic agreement.
The existing arrangement includes reduced restrictions on critical minerals and high-tech exports, plus a pause on triple-digit tariffs.
Trade, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, export controls and the Iran war are expected to feature in discussions between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.
- Who
- The governments of the United States and China, represented in the talks by officials including Scott Bessent, Jamieson Greer and He Lifeng; presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are also meeting.
- What
- The United States says it and China will extend their trade-war truce by two months while exploring a larger economic agreement.
- When
- The existing arrangement was due to expire on November 10 and, according to Scott Bessent, would run until January 10.
- Where
- The announcement was made during Xi Jinping’s visit to Washington; US-China talks have also taken place at the World Bank in Washington.
- Why
- The extension is intended to provide more time for negotiations and to keep economic relations stable despite disputes over trade, technology, Taiwan and other issues.
Extension and Broader Agreement
Uncertainty and Continued Pressure
Status of the truce
Extension and Broader Agreement
Scott Bessent said the economic detente would be extended through January 10 to allow more time for negotiations.
Uncertainty and Continued Pressure
Chinese officials had not confirmed the extension, leaving its status uncertain.
Scope of the next agreement
Extension and Broader Agreement
US officials said a larger economic package could address agriculture, non-tariff barriers, aircraft purchases and other trade issues.
Uncertainty and Continued Pressure
The current deal may simply be extended again, and unresolved disputes over export controls, rare earth minerals and Taiwan could reignite tensions.
Technology cooperation
Extension and Broader Agreement
US and Chinese officials proposed exchanging alerts about artificial-intelligence-related hacking incidents, and officials discussed a possible communications hotline.
Uncertainty and Continued Pressure
Analysts said intense competition in artificial intelligence could limit cooperation to symbolic agreements, while the United States is expected to maintain export controls on technology China wants loosened.
- Proposed extension
- From November 10 to January 10, according to Scott Bessent
- Existing arrangement
- Known as the “Busan Agreement,” after talks in Busan, South Korea
- Trade measures
- Both sides rolled back restrictions on critical minerals and high-tech exports and paused triple-digit tariffs
- US negotiators
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer
- Chinese negotiator
- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng
- Potential broader deal
- Possible agreements on agriculture, non-tariff barriers, technology and other economic issues
- Confirmation status
- Chinese officials had not confirmed the extension at the time of the report