Trump signs executive order extending China's tariff deadline by 90 days

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 11, postponing the implementation of a boost in tariffs on imports from China by 90 days, or until Nov. 10.

"The United States continues to have discussions with the PRC to address the lack of trade reciprocity in our economic relationship and our resulting national and economic security concerns. Through these discussions, the PRC continues to take significant steps toward remedying non-reciprocal trade arrangements and addressing the concerns of the United States relating to economic and national security matters," Trump said, resulting in the 90-day extension.

Before the latest extension, the implementation of the increased tariffs was also extended by 90 days, from May 14 to Aug. 12.

The duty rate on Chinese imports into the US stands at 30%, and additional tariffs were set to go into effect on Aug. 12, which would have resulted in a total tariff rate of 64% on Chinese goods. The White House's latest move allows for US-China trade negotiations to continue until Nov. 10.

Following the extension, China agreed to extend the suspension of the 24% additional tariffs on US goods for 90 days, starting Aug. 12, but will continue to impose 10% tariffs on US goods.

"We hope the US will continue to work with China to implement the important consensus reached during the two heads of state's phone call, make full use of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, and, on the basis of equality, mutual respect and reciprocity, enhance understanding, reduce misperceptions, and strengthen cooperation through dialogue and communication, so as to promote the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-US relations," Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, told Platts, part of S&P Global Energy.

China is the second-largest source of imported goods for the US, accounting for $438.7 billion worth of US imports in 2024, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence's Global Trade Analytics Suite.

The US and China engaged in a tense series of tariff hikes in April and May. The US raised tariffs on China to 145%, and China ordered a 125% duty on US goods before the two nations reached an agreement on May 12 to reduce tariffs on each other for 90 days.