On 28 September 2026, CNBC reported that the United States and China plan to reduce tariffs on about $30 billion of goods from each country, citing Monday announcements from both governments after President Trump's Washington summit with President Xi. The US import list totals 77 items and concentrates on consumer categories such as fireworks, tableware, bed and table linen, microwave ovens, Christmas-tree lamps and ornaments, highchairs, toys (excluding WiFi or Bluetooth-connected items), sports balls, and vacuum flasks. WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke said implemented cuts before the holiday season could lift US consumption and retailers.
China's list covers 1,619 US-origin categories. CNBC's excerpt includes breeding livestock, frozen pork and poultry, seafood, peanut butter, apples, whiskey, soybeans for seed, and soybean flour and meal. Separate reporting (Reuters via ThePrint; Caixin) notes whole soybeans are left off China's cut list even as Beijing resumes large-scale US soybean buying under a prior purchase pledge, and that MOFCOM frames over 90% of covered products as moving toward most-favored-nation rates. Coal imports from the US are also brought into the reciprocal framework for 2027-2028 volumes cited by the White House.
Neither side has published an effective date or the precise duty reductions. CNBC notes last year's effective bilateral tariffs above 40% (US on China) and above 30% (China on US), with the broader truce already extended toward January. For importers, the actionable step is SKU-level matching to the published categories and dual cost scenarios until Customs implements a notice. Chips, EVs, and batteries remain outside the nonsensitive lists.