Chinese and U.S. officials confirmed on Thursday that negotiators are working toward reciprocal tariff reductions on $30 billion worth of goods, with an announcement possible during the upcoming meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 24 in Washington.
A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry, Huang Ling, stated that both sides are striving to implement the reductions "at an early date," though no specific timeline was provided. The $30 billion figure applies to each country’s imports, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.
The leaders’ meeting will mark their third in-person talks in the past year, with both governments framing the discussions as an effort to stabilize relations amid competing economic and geopolitical interests. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, emphasized the strategic role of high-level diplomacy, stating that "leaders’ diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-U.S. relations."
Trade tensions and prior actions
The push for tariff reductions follows years of escalating trade disputes. In February 2025, the U.S. imposed tariffs under what the Trump administration described as a "national emergency," prompting China to retaliate with its own tariffs. The tensions intensified in April 2025 after the U.S. implemented additional measures referred to by the administration as "Liberation Day" tariffs.
Negotiations have since focused on restructuring trade deals, with both sides engaging in ongoing discussions. The upcoming summit is seen as a critical opportunity to de-escalate tensions, though neither side has detailed the scope or conditions of potential concessions.
Context and expectations
The announcement of reciprocal tariff reductions comes amid broader efforts to address trade imbalances and market access issues. While the specifics of the planned cuts remain undisclosed, the move signals a willingness to ease trade barriers ahead of the high-stakes meeting. Analysts suggest that even partial reductions could signal progress toward broader trade normalization, though significant hurdles remain.
Both governments have framed the talks as a step toward stabilizing relations, which have been strained by disputes over technology transfers, intellectual property protections, and market access. The meeting follows prior discussions in May 2026, when Trump and Xi agreed to establish a U.S.-China Board of Trade to facilitate ongoing negotiations.
No further details on the proposed tariff reductions were provided by either side, and the outcome of the September 24 meeting remains uncertain.