# U.S. and China cut tariffs on sixty billion dollars of goods > The two countries agree to lower duties on everyday products from coal to toys under a new framework designed to ease trade tensions. - Title: U.S. and China cut tariffs on sixty billion dollars of goods - Summary: The two countries agree to lower duties on everyday products from coal to toys under a new framework designed to ease trade tensions. The U.S. and China… - Keywords: u.s.-china trade, tariffs, trade war, 30-for-30 framework, donald trump, xi jinping, trade deficit, agricultural products, semiconductors, China, cut, sixty - Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/09/29/us-china-reciprocal-tariffs-cut-trade-goods-60-billion - Author: Miranda Jeyaretnam - Published: 2026-09-29T10:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: u.s.-china trade, tariffs, trade war, 30-for-30 framework, donald trump, xi jinping, trade deficit, agricultural products, semiconductors ## Sixty billion dollar tariff cut announced The U.S. and China agreed late Sunday to cut tariffs on sixty billion dollars of goods, covering roughly thirty billion dollars of U.S. exports to China and thirty billion dollars of Chinese exports to the U.S. ## The 30-for-30 framework explained The agreement falls under the 30-for-30 framework, recommended by the U.S.-China Board of Trade, which was established during President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing in May. It covers non-sensitive products from both countries. ## What tariff levels will be restored The Chinese Commerce Ministry said tariffs on around ninety percent of the products on each list would return to most favored nation levels, referring to ordinary baseline tariff rates that vary based on product. ## Trump administration's stated goals U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the Trump Administration will pursue fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade with China by ensuring compliance with commitments on agricultural and energy purchases and securing market access for American farmers, manufacturers, businesses, and workers. ## China's view of the agreement The Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Monday that the agreement would further stabilize U.S.-China trade relations and create favorable conditions for Chinese exports to the U.S. ## Context of escalating trade tensions The agreement comes after an escalating trade war last year brought tariffs to prohibitively high levels. It follows a meeting where Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump agreed to extend a trade truce until January ten. ## Trump's tariff strategy and results Trump has sought to use tariffs to shrink the U.S. trade deficit with China and bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Greer said the deficit on goods trade with China has fallen by forty percent since Trump took office, on track to hit one hundred forty billion dollars this year compared to two hundred ninety five billion dollars in two thousand twenty four. ## Expert skepticism on the deal Henry Gao, professor of law at Singapore Management University, said this is less the demolition of a tariff wall than the opening of a safety valve. It may give both sides breathing room but is better designed to pause a trade war than to end one. > This is less the demolition of a tariff wall than the opening of a safety valve: enough to let off steam, not enough to change the structure of the conflict. ## Seventy seven Chinese products get relief The agreement recommends lower tariffs on seventy seven categories of Chinese products, including bed linen, garden umbrellas, car seats, fish hooks, billiard balls, curtains, electric shavers, inflatable balls, jute wall hangings, and holiday decorations. ## Sixteen hundred nineteen U.S. products covered The agreement recommends lowering tariffs on one thousand six hundred nineteen categories of U.S. products, including butter, offal, corn, wheat, frozen meat, seafood, foie gras, cosmetics, wood products, scientific devices like MRI systems, rabbit hair, coal, and live animals including donkeys, mules, horses, whales, dolphins, and dugongs. ## Coal commitment and past shortfalls The White House said China agreed to import at least ten million metric tons of coal per year from the U.S. in two thousand twenty seven and two thousand twenty eight. China previously agreed in November to resume purchases of U.S. sorghum and increase purchases of U.S. soybeans, but during Trump's first term fell short of certain agricultural commitments. ## Strategic sectors remain protected Sensitive goods excluded from the framework include semiconductors, batteries, and electric vehicles. Both governments are liberalizing where it is politically useful while preserving pressure where it is strategically necessary. ## Limited scope and lingering uncertainty The tariff cuts cover roughly twenty one percent of U.S. exports to China and seven percent of Chinese exports to the U.S. based on two thousand twenty four trade values. Lingering uncertainty over whether the trade truce will extend beyond January ten could make it harder for businesses to plan long-term investment or supply chain changes. ## Key takeaway The U.S. and China agreed to cut tariffs on sixty billion dollars of goods, covering roughly thirty billion dollars each way, as part of efforts to ease escalating trade tensions between the two superpowers.