Welcome back to What’s Happening in China, your weekly China brief.
In an unexpected move, the U.S. and PRC on Monday announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, bringing the recent U.S. tariff rate on most PRC imports down to 30%. With this adjustment, total U.S. tariffs on China will range between 40% and 70%, while Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports will drop to 10%.
Additionally, the U.S. agreed to slash “de minimis” tariffs—exemptions from duties on small, low-value parcels shipped directly to consumers—while Beijing paused export restrictions on dual-use items for 28 American companies. In a joint statement, the two countries said they “will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations.”
Commenting on Trump’s 20% fentanyl-related tariffs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “China has made it clear more than once that fentanyl is the U.S.’s problem, not China’s. It’s the U.S.’s responsibility to solve the issue. Despite the goodwill Chi…
