On 25 September 2026, CNBC reported that American buyers increased orders for Chinese goods in the weeks ahead of the Trump–Xi summit, according to China Beige Book’s private survey of 1,295 Chinese companies conducted between 1 and 22 September.
The firm’s U.S. orders gauge—the share of respondents reporting higher orders minus the share reporting lower—jumped to 13 in September from 3 in August and from −12 a year earlier. China Beige Book called the rebound a “surprise” and linked rising U.S. shipments (month-on-month and year-on-year) to an improved relative tariff position for China.
The same survey showed overall Chinese domestic and export orders still below year-ago levels, with new orders weaker than in August—so the U.S. pocket of strength sat inside a softer broader booking picture.
CNBC noted the two sides extended a trade truce by two months into January (lower tariffs, pause on tighter rare-earth controls, hold on higher ship port fees), while Barclays estimates the effective U.S. tariff rate on Chinese goods remains about 23%, well above levies on other major partners. Port throughput was also reported at a record busy week in the run-up to the summit.