White House Hits Pause: Trump Pushes China Tariffs 90 Days Down the Track
Key Numbers at a Glance
- 30 % – the combined U.S. duty on Chinese imports that stays unchanged.
- 10 % – China’s retaliatory levy on American products, also locked in place.
- Nov 10 – the new “earliest possible” date for any further tariff move.
What the New Order Does
WASHINGTON – In a one-page directive released on Monday afternoon, President Trump instructed U.S. customs agents to extend existing tariff ceilings for at least another quarter. The move prevents the threatened surge of duties that would otherwise have snapped into effect at midnight Tuesday, sparing importers from an immediate jump to 80 % or more on many Chinese products.
Baking in Two Existing Layers
- A 10 % “reciprocal” tariff that the president first floated in April remains intact.
- An added 20 % surcharge—justified by the White House as a response to Beijing’s role in fentanyl trafficking—continues unchanged.
Taken together, the two measures keep the effective rate locked at 30 %, officials confirmed.
China’s Mirror Move
Beijing wasted little time responding. Within hours, the Ministry of Commerce pledged to leave its own 10 % tariff on U.S. goods in place through the same 90-day window. Officials described the step as “reciprocal restraint.”
Deal-makers Work the Phones
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the previous week that a short extension was “likely,” and Mr. Trump himself hinted on Monday that conversations were moving forward “quite nicely.” Negotiators for both capitals already huddled in Stockholm late last month, continuing talks on rare-earth export rules, semiconductor licensing blocks, and Chinese student-visa hurdles.
Stakes for the Holiday Import Rush
Without the reprieve, analysts warned that freight rates would sky-rocket and seasonal inventory pipelines risk running dry. Retail lobbyists welcomed the announcement, noting that the extra three months gives shippers crucial breathing room before Black Friday restocking.
Trading Relationship by the Numbers
- China ranked as America’s third-largest trade partner in 2024 (EU excluded).
- The United States imported $438.9 billion worth of Chinese merchandise last year.
- U.S. exports headed the other way added up to $143.5 billion.
Still a Rocky Road Ahead
While markets exhaled on the delay, veteran watchers remind investors that nothing is permanent. Mr. Trump has already signaled he wants Beijing to quadruple soybean purchases this calendar year, and Chinese negotiators remain guarded on agricultural quotas. Both leaders now have until early November to decide whether another round of tariff hikes—or a sweeping rollback—lies ahead.
