Trump extends tariff deadlines on Chinese imports for an additional 90 days
The US-China trade negotiations have taken a new turn as the 90-day tariff truce, initially agreed upon in May 2025, has been extended until November 10, 2025 [1][3]. This move temporarily halts planned tariff hikes and provides short-term stability for businesses.
The US maintains a complex tariff regime on Chinese imports, with a cumulative total tariff rate of 55% [1]. This includes a 10% baseline tariff since April 2025, a 20% "fentanyl" tariff imposed in March 2025, and a longstanding 25% Section 301 tariff initiated during the Trump administration’s first term [1].
Average US tariffs on Chinese goods have sharply increased since January 2025, covering essentially all imports from China, with rates averaging around 51.1%, while China has retaliated with tariffs averaging about 32.6% on US goods [2].
Recent meetings, including those in London (June 2025) and Stockholm (July 2025), reiterated commitments from the Geneva Joint Statement of May 2025, aiming to uphold agreed terms and continue negotiations on trade issues [3].
The US has implemented various executive orders throughout 2025 to adjust and suspend parts of tariffs in response to ongoing talks. For example, duties related to the de minimis exemption have been tightened, affecting low-value goods sent through the international postal network [4].
Although details of further tariff adjustments remain undisclosed, the US administration under the second Trump term has signaled satisfaction with the current deal framework, emphasizing that the 55% effective tariff on Chinese goods will remain in place [1].
While the tariff truce offers a brief window of stability, the trade relationship remains strained. A full-fledged trade deal with China remains elusive despite at least seven days of face-to-face talks this year between high-ranking officials on both sides [6].
The US imported over $438 billion worth of Chinese goods in 2024 [7]. Import taxes went into effect for dozens of countries last week, but no new facts about the tariff regime or the delay in tariffs on Chinese imports were mentioned in this paragraph.
The White House is holding ongoing negotiations with China to resolve trade disputes and strengthen economic ties. The outcome of these negotiations could potentially lead to a summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in the fall, around the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea [8].
However, William Yang, a senior Northeast Asia analyst for the International Crisis Group who is based in Taiwan, stated that "Beijing will be happy to keep the U.S.-China negotiation going, but it is unlikely to make concessions" [9]. This suggests that the tariff truce may be just a temporary reprieve in the ongoing trade tensions between the two economic powerhouses.
[1] Trump Administration Announces Extension of Tariff Truce with China
[2] US-China Tariffs: What's the Latest?
[3] US and China Agree to Extend Tariff Truce
[4] US Tariffs: What's Changed and What's Next?
[5] US-China Trade War: What's the Latest?
[6] US-China Trade Talks: What's at Stake?
[7] US-China Trade War: The Numbers
[8] Trump and Xi Jinping to Meet at Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit
[9] US-China Trade War: Beijing Unlikely to Make Concessions, Analyst Says
- The extension of the tariff truce between the US and China, agreed upon until November 10, 2025, has provided a temporary halt to planned tariff hikes and offered short-term stability in the markets.
- The rise in average US tariffs on Chinese goods since January 2025 has led to a complex tariff regime, with a cumulative total tariff rate of 55% on Chinese imports.
- Despite several rounds of face-to-face talks this year, a full-fledged trade deal between the US and China remains elusive, with war-and-conflicts and politics being significant factors hindering progress in policy-and-legislation developments.
- The US administration has signaled satisfaction with the current deal framework, with the 55% effective tariff on Chinese goods remaining in place, and may lead to a summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October-November 2025.
- Economic analysts have expressed doubts about Beijing making concessions in the ongoing trade negotiations, suggesting that the tariff truce may be just a temporary reprieve in the prolonged US-China trade war.
