Story perspectives

Trump and Xi Cut Tariffs on $60B, Extend Truce

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 6:04 PM UTC · How we work

Center

MFN tariff coverage

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in Washington that countries will cut tariffs on $60 billion of goods and extend the trade truce.
More than 90 percent of the covered products will receive most-favored-nation tariff rates, eliminating country-specific duties.
China’s list names 1,619 U.S. items, including corn, wheat, meat, seafood, dairy, timber and coal.
The trade truce was extended two months, now lasting until Jan. 10, 2027.

Left

Farm export omission

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in Washington a tariff-cut deal covering $60 billion of goods and extending the trade truce.
The agreement leaves out major U.S. farm exports such as soybeans, so struggling farmers receive little relief while consumer price gains remain modest.
The U.S. list includes 77 Chinese products such as toys, ornaments and small appliances.

Blindspot

The agreement leaves out major U.S. agricultural exports such as soybeans, limiting relief for struggling farmers and providing only modest consumer-price benefits, analysts said.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

China joined the WTO in December 2001 after the U.S. enacted the 2000 China-U.S. Relations Act, granting permanent normal trade relations and forcing China to cut tariffs on U.S. farm goods. The pact lowered average tariffs on 1,619 products by roughly 30 percent and doubled U.S. imports to $102 billion by 2001. Presidents Trump and Xi have now extended the $60 billion tariff-cut truce to 10 January 2027, excluding soybeans.

1 of 4

MFN tariff coverage

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in Washington that countries will cut tariffs on $60 billion of goods and extend the trade truce.
More than 90 percent of the covered products will receive most-favored-nation tariff rates, eliminating country-specific duties.
China’s list names 1,619 U.S. items, including corn, wheat, meat, seafood, dairy, timber and coal.
The trade truce was extended two months, now lasting until Jan. 10, 2027.

1 / 4