The U.S.-China Board of Trade has gone ahead and proposed a reduction in terms of tariff treatment when it comes to non-sensitive goods covering about $30 billion in imports for either of the countries, the Trump Administration said on September 27, 2026.
As per a statement given by the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, “From agricultural products to medical devices, President [Donald] Trump is unlocking improved market access for about 30 percent of U.S. exports to China, while benefiting consumers with imports from China of household goods, toys, and other products that the United States generally does not import from other countries.”
Apparently, the White House has released no specifics on how much tariffs could be cut or when such kinds of reductions are going to take place. Interestingly, a term of reference document says that for imports from the U.S. and China covered by the arrangement, future duty reductions are going to be established and enacted in line with each of their domestic legal procedures.
However, there are certain apprehensions surrounding the development. Wendy Cutler, who is the Asia Society Policy Institute senior vice president, in one of her LinkedIn posts said that the White House document looks ambiguous. There is no mention of when consumers may see these reductions in tariffs in the store. Both sides have to go through their internal procedures. She adds that it is indeed unclear if the proposal is for the U.S. to look out for public comment on the product list, although the document is composed in a way that does not look to be very open to modifications.
The U.S.-China Board of Trade, which was first announced in May 2026, includes the likes of both the U.S. as well as Chinese government officials such as Greer, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and also He Lifeng, who is China’s Vice Premier of the State Council. The board’s mission is to ensure the optimization of bilateral trade and include regular meetings taking place between deputies of Greer and Bessent, as well as Lifeng, who can submit proposals to the board leaders for review, according to a working procedures document.
The terms of reference said that U.S. and China deputies are going to keep track of and also evaluate bilateral trade when it comes to various products that are included in the September 27, 2026, announcement and that favorable tariff treatment could very well get extended as far as other items are concerned.
Interestingly, the announcement followed an agreement between the U.S. and China to extend a trade truce that was due to be terminated in November 2026. Apparently, the extension is going to be for another two months after Chinese President Xi Jinping recently went on to visit the White House.
