Trump Plans to Ease China Tariffs Following Meeting with Xi Jinping
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| U.S. Reduces China Tariffs to 47% After Trump’s Positive Meeting with Xi |
President Donald Trump announced that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping have reached a major trade agreement covering agricultural purchases, fentanyl precursors, and rare earth exports. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said China will begin buying “tremendous amounts” of U.S. soybeans and other farm goods immediately. The agreement, which paves the way for a finalized trade deal expected to be signed “pretty soon,” will also include an immediate reduction in tariffs. Trump added that Beijing agreed not to impose proposed export controls on rare earth minerals, removing what he called a key “roadblock” to the deal. The president said the accord is designed to last at least a year and marks a significant step toward stabilizing U.S.–China trade relations.
“There aren’t many major obstacles left,” Trump remarked, noting that while the agreement will be revisited each year, he anticipates it continuing far into the future.An agreement in principle was reached following a one-hour, forty-minute meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping during a summit in South Korea. The two leaders were expected to iron out differences on issues such as soybean trade, critical minerals, and fentanyl, while also touching on Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Emerging from their talks at Gimhae Air Base, Trump and Xi appeared in good spirits, shaking hands as Trump leaned in to share a few words with his counterpart. Neither leader made public remarks before departing for their motorcades. Later, while en route back to Washington aboard Air Force One, Trump briefed reporters on the key outcomes of the meeting.
Following the talks, Trump said that Xi Jinping had committed to intensifying China’s efforts to curb the production and export of fentanyl precursors. “I think you’re going to see some real action taken,” Trump told reporters after the meeting.
In response to that pledge, Trump announced that the United States would immediately cut in half a fentanyl-related tariff, lowering it from 20% to 10%. He noted that while this reduction would take effect right away, several other tariffs on Chinese goods would remain, keeping overall rates on certain imports between 45% and 47%.
Trump revealed plans to visit China in April, with President Xi Jinping slated to make a return visit to the United States later in the year.
Looking back on their discussion, Trump described the encounter as both cordial and constructive. “It was a very friendly meeting,” he said, adding, “It was a good meeting between two very large, powerful nations — and that’s exactly the way we should be cooperating.”
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| Trump Reduces China Tariffs Following Meeting with Xi, Reports Say |
Earlier, Trump had threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese imports in response to Beijing’s boycott of American soybeans and restrictions on rare earth mineral exports, which are essential for defense equipment, smartphones, and electric vehicles. Following their meeting in South Korea, the president confirmed that both issues had been resolved.
Over the weekend, trade negotiators from both countries unveiled a framework for a potential agreement, which the Trump administration indicated would tackle these high-profile trade concerns.
At the start of their summit, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of cooperation. “I have always believed that China’s development aligns with your vision to make America great again,” Xi said. “Our two nations are fully capable of helping each other succeed and prosper together. History and reality alike show that China and the United States should be partners and friends.”
Xi Jinping noted that, overall, relations between China and the United States have remained “stable” since the beginning of Trump’s second term, without directly referencing the ongoing trade war.
“Given our different national circumstances, we do not always see eye to eye,” Xi said through a translator, “and it is normal for the world’s two leading nations to experience occasional frictions.”
Trump–Xi Relationship
Prior to the South Korean summit, the last face-to-face meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping took place in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The global outbreak disrupted economies worldwide and strained U.S.-China relations.
Tensions flared again in 2023 when a Chinese spy balloon was detected over American airspace. During this period, former President Joe Biden met with Xi several times, including in November 2024 following Trump’s return to the White House.
This year, Trump and Xi have spoken by phone three times, and Xi noted that they have also exchanged letters, maintaining ongoing communication despite previous challenges in the relationship.
Trump and Xi Praise Each Other at South Korea Summit
In South Korea, Trump described Xi Jinping as a long-time friend and referred to him as “distinguished and respected.”
“President Xi is a great leader of a great country, and I believe we’re going to have a fantastic relationship for many years to come,” Trump said at the start of their discussions.
Xi, in turn, commended Trump’s dedication to global stability. “You care deeply about world peace and are very committed to resolving regional hotspot issues,” he told the U.S. president, also acknowledging Trump’s “great contribution” to the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
While Xi praised Trump’s role in some global issues, he was more measured regarding other conflicts, noting that the U.S. president “provided input” on the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand—one of eight conflicts Trump has claimed to have helped resolve.
“The world today faces many difficult challenges,” Xi said. “China and the United States, as major countries, can share this responsibility and work together to achieve meaningful and concrete results for the benefit of our nations and the world as a whole.”
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| Trump Promises to Cut China Tariffs After ‘Amazing’ Xi Jinping Meeting — What’s Next for Trade? |
Key Issues Left Unmentioned
Several major international concerns were not addressed during the summit, including North Korea’s illicit missile tests, Chinese aggression toward Taiwan, and Russia’s invasion and occupation of eastern Ukraine. In September, Xi had appeared alongside North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a military parade in Beijing.
Trump later told reporters that Taiwan was not discussed during his conversation with Xi, though the two leaders held extensive talks about Ukraine. “He’s going to help us, and we’re going to work together on Ukraine,” Trump said. “There’s not a lot more we can do.”
Although the president had previously indicated interest in meeting Kim Jong Un during his Asia trip, he told reporters on his return flight that he ultimately did not have time. “I was so busy,” he explained. “I think it would have been, maybe, disrespectful to the importance of this meeting if we did that. So, I’d come back, with respect to Kim Jong Un. I’d come back.”
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