(UNITED STATES (PROPOSED TRIP TO ASIA)) President Trump signaled he is open to cutting tariffs on Chinese goods if Beijing offers new concessions, as high-stakes talks intensify ahead of his planned trip to Asia. “They’d probably like to have it be less, and we’ll work on that, but they have to give us some things too,” Trump said, tying any rate relief to concrete steps from China on priority issues.
The shift comes as both sides extended a tariff truce on August 11, 2025, keeping current caps in place for another 90 days to November 10, 2025. Under the truce, the United States 🇺🇸 capped tariffs at 30% on Chinese imports, while China capped duties at 10% on US goods. Without the extension, rates could have surged to 145% on Chinese goods and 125% on US goods, levels analysts said would approach a near trade embargo.
Trump’s public openness to cutting tariffs on Chinese goods adds new pressure on Beijing to move on rare earths, fentanyl-related flows, and farm purchases during this window.
Tariff truce: purpose and immediate effects
The short-term pause buys negotiators time and shields consumers and businesses from a steep escalation just ahead of the holiday season. Officials see the 90-day span as an opportunity to test whether talks can unlock a broader deal, with a possible Trump–Xi summit later in 2025 if progress holds.
Even with the truce, several high tariffs and exposures remain in effect:
- The administration has kept a 20% rate on fentanyl-related imports.
- Certain Chinese goods carry a cumulative tariff burden of about 157%.
- New US tariffs target specific wood products and furniture, with rates set to rise in 2026 unless a broader agreement resets the schedule.
- Beijing responded with duties on US agricultural and energy products and with export controls on critical minerals and rare earth elements, measures that ripple through manufacturing supply chains.
The White House confirmed that trade, security, and regional cooperation will anchor the agenda during Trump’s Asia swing, underscoring how the economic talks sit alongside strategic concerns. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests the timing of the truce reflects both sides’ desire to keep commerce steady while testing whether a limited trade bargain is within reach.
“Keep tariffs high enough to draw concessions, but hold out the option to de-escalate if core US priorities are met.”
— Summary of the tactical approach signaled by the administration
Tariff Truce Timeline and Rates
- Truce announcement: Extended on August 11, 2025 for 90 days (through November 10, 2025).
- Tariff caps during truce: 30% on Chinese imports; 10% on US goods.
- Snapback risk without truce: Potential rates of 145% on Chinese goods and 125% on US goods.
- High-water marks that remain: 20% on fentanyl-related imports and cumulative burdens of about 157% on certain products.
- Recent US actions: New tariffs on wood and furniture scheduled to increase in 2026 absent a broader deal.
- Chinese measures: Retaliatory tariffs on US farm and energy goods; export controls on critical minerals and rare earths.
The immediate test is whether negotiators can line up reciprocal steps that satisfy both sides ahead of the truce deadline. Trump’s public stance explicitly links any tariff cuts to Beijing taking actions aligned with US aims—cooperation on fentanyl flows and reliable access to critical inputs for US factories are prominent examples.
Negotiation priorities and possible outcomes
US negotiators have set a clear list of demands that reflect domestic pressure points:
- Rare earths and critical minerals — access and stability for manufacturing inputs.
- Fentanyl — stricter action tied to supply and transit flows.
- Agricultural purchases — higher buys (soybeans frequently cited) to support US farmers.
China’s countermeasures—tariffs on farm and energy goods and controls on critical minerals—are intended to raise US costs if no deal is reached.
Key possible outcomes during the truce window:
- Both sides make reciprocal, verifiable moves on the priority issues → Potential for tariff relief and a pathway to broader talks, possibly culminating in a leader-level meeting.
- Talks stall or yield insufficient progress → The threat of sharp tariff increases returns after November 10, 2025.
The White House has not released detailed rate-by-rate scenarios, but the overall structure is clear: tariff relief is conditional. Trump’s line—“they have to give us some things too”—summarizes the administration’s approach and explains why certain high tariffs remain as leverage.
Economic and strategic implications
Market watchers note the truce limits shock to consumers during peak shopping months while keeping both governments engaged. For companies dependent on cross-border supply chains, the extra 90 days provides planning certainty—allowing shipping and inventory decisions under known rates rather than scrambling against an abrupt hike.
For producers already hit by retaliatory measures, the pause holds out the chance that Beijing could scale back duties if a deal is reached. US officials emphasize the strategic dimension: rare earths and critical minerals sit at the intersection of economic and national security policy, and Beijing’s export controls have repeatedly stressed manufacturers.
Any agreement loosening those controls could feed into larger talks on regional cooperation that the White House says will feature during Trump’s Asia trip.
Important note: For background on how the US deploys trade measures like these, see the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s resource on China duties at the USTR Section 301 page.
Who stands to gain or lose
The human stakes are clear across sectors:
- Farmers: rely on agricultural purchases and face retaliatory duties that hit exports.
- Factory workers and manufacturers: need reliable access to critical inputs (rare earths, minerals).
- Small importers and retailers: benefit from rate stability during peak shopping months.
The extension announced on August 11, 2025 reduces near-term uncertainty for retailers and producers while negotiators test whether a narrow set of trade-offs can unlock a broader framework later this year.
Next steps and timeline pressure
Trump’s team frames the next stretch as a practical trial:
- Maintain stability for 90 days.
- Probe for movement on fentanyl, rare earths, and agriculture.
- Determine whether both sides can build toward a leader-level meeting.
If progress is made, the truce could become a stepping stone to broader cooperation. If not, the risk of sharp tariff increases resurfaces when the pause expires on November 10, 2025.
For now, the operating facts are straightforward:
– The tariff truce is in effect.
– Caps are set at 30% (Chinese imports) and 10% (US goods).
– The administration is open to cutting tariffs on Chinese goods, but only if Beijing moves on the items Washington has listed.
– The negotiating calendar is tight, with the proposed Asia trip adding real time pressure to show progress before the current pause expires.
This Article in a Nutshell
U.S.-China trade talks have paused a potential tariff escalation with a 90-day truce announced August 11, 2025, extending caps through November 10, 2025. During the window, U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports are capped at 30% while China capped duties at 10% on U.S. goods. The administration linked any tariff relief to verifiable Chinese concessions on rare earths, fentanyl-related flows, and agricultural purchases. Although the truce shields consumers and businesses from immediate shock, several high tariffs remain—such as a 20% rate on fentanyl-related items and cumulative burdens near 157% on some goods—maintaining leverage if talks falter.
