China Suspends Additional Tariffs on U.S. Goods for One Year

**Islamabad (Qudrat Daily)** — China has announced the suspension of an additional 24% tariff imposed earlier this year on U.S. goods for a period of one year, while maintaining a 10% duty that was introduced in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Independence Day” tariffs.

According to the state-run *APP* news agency, the Tariff Commission of China’s State Council also declared that starting November 10, it will remove tariffs of up to 15% on certain U.S. agricultural products.

The move follows a statement issued in March 2025 that outlined which American imports would be subject to new duties. Despite the tariff cuts, U.S. soybean buyers will still face a 13% import tax, including a base rate of 3%.

Traders noted that U.S. soybeans remain significantly more expensive than Brazilian alternatives, limiting their competitiveness. Before the first U.S.–China trade war under Trump’s administration in 2017, soybeans were America’s top agricultural export to China, with the world’s largest grain buyer importing $13.8 billion worth in 2016. However, Beijing has since sharply reduced its purchases, causing billions of dollars in export losses for American farmers.

Customs data show that in 2024, only 20% of China’s total soybean imports came from the U.S., compared to 41% in 2016.

Last week, investor sentiment improved slightly after U.S. President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, easing fears that the world’s two largest economies might abandon ongoing trade negotiations that have disrupted global supply chains.

While the White House quickly released details of the meeting, Chinese authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive statement.

A day before the summit, China’s state-owned company COFCO purchased three cargoes of U.S. soybeans, which analysts viewed as a goodwill gesture signaling Beijing’s desire to avoid escalating trade tensions.

However, market experts remain cautious about a quick recovery in soybean trade. “We don’t expect a major uptick in Chinese demand for U.S. soybeans following this policy shift,” said a trader at an international commodities firm. “Brazilian prices are lower, and non-Chinese buyers are also turning to Brazilian cargoes.”