US, China decide to roll back most tariffs for 90 days

Donald Trump, Xi Jinping engaged in trade war ever since US declared sweeping global tariff. File Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

China and the USA have decided to ease the trade tension by agreeing to roll back tariffs announced recently for an initial period of 90 days, as per a joint statement issued by the world’s two largest economies.

The announcement was made after the US and Chinese officials were engaged in a trade negotiation in Switzerland.

As per the statement, the US will temporarily reduce its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145 percent to 30 percent by May 14.

Similarly, China, during the same period, will cut its levies on American imports from 125 percent to 10 percent.

“The Parties will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations,” the statement said.

“The representative from the Chinese side for these discussions will be He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the U.S. side will be Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative,” the statement said.

These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of the Parties, the joint statement said.

“As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues,” the statement said.

The US and China were engaged in a tough trade battle after Donald Trump returned to power for his second term earlier this year.