The United States and China have reached a significant agreement to temporarily ease tariffs imposed on each other. According to the White House announcement on Monday, May 12, 2025, both countries will suspend most of the tariffs they’ve imposed on each other over the last couple of months for a 90-day period[1].
This agreement comes after ongoing discussions between U.S. and Chinese officials in Geneva. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that Washington and Beijing would reduce their reciprocal tariffs by 115% for three months to create space for negotiations to progress[1]. The White House expressed optimism that these discussions “have the potential to address the concerns of each side in their economic and trade relationship”[1].
The temporary easing of tariffs represents what the White House characterized as a “significant success” in trade talks with Beijing[1]. Both countries have committed to moving forward with “mutual opening, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect” during this 90-day suspension period[1].
This development marks an important shift in U.S.-China trade relations, which had seen increased tensions since early April when these tariffs were initially imposed.