U.S. China Trade Actions 2025 showing American and Chinese flags symbolizing new tariff and trade agreements

 

The White House has released a detailed fact sheet summarizing recent trade actions between the United States and China, highlighting major tariff suspensions, export control adjustments, and renewed agricultural purchases.
These measures mark one of the most significant bilateral trade de-escalations in recent years and carry major implications for global supply chains, technology exports, and agricultural markets.

China’s Commitments

China announced a broad series of policy shifts designed to ease trade tensions and restore market access for U.S. industries.

Suspension of Export Controls

  • China will suspend the global implementation of the rare-earth export controls introduced on October 9, 2025.

  • The country will issue general export licenses for rare earths, gallium, germanium, antimony, and graphite, effectively lifting restrictions imposed in April 2025 and October 2022.

Counter-Narcotics Cooperation

  • China pledged to curb the export of fentanyl-related chemicals, halting shipments of certain precursors to North America and imposing stricter controls worldwide.

Tariff and Non-Tariff Suspensions

  • China will suspend all retaliatory tariffs imposed since March 4, 2025, covering U.S. agricultural exports such as chicken, soybeans, corn, cotton, pork, and dairy.

  • All non-tariff countermeasures targeting U.S. companies—such as end-user restrictions and unreliable-entity listings—will also be lifted.

Agricultural Purchases

  • China will buy 12 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. soybeans in the final two months of 2025 and 25 MMT annually from 2026 through 2028.

  • Purchases of U.S. sorghum and hardwood logs will also resume.

Semiconductor and Shipping Sector Measures

  • Trade will resume from Nexperia’s China facilities, restoring the flow of legacy semiconductors.

  • China will remove retaliatory measures linked to the U.S. Section 301 investigation into shipbuilding and logistics, and lift sanctions on related shipping firms.

  • The market-based tariff-exclusion process for U.S. imports will extend through December 31, 2026.

  • China will end its investigations targeting U.S. semiconductor firms, including antitrust and anti-dumping cases.

U.S. Commitments

In parallel, the United States announced a series of reciprocal measures aimed at stabilizing trade relations and advancing negotiations under Section 301.

Tariff Reductions and Extensions

  • The U.S. will lower tariffs on Chinese imports related to fentanyl-control enforcement by 10 percentage points, effective November 10, 2025.

  • The 10 percent reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods will remain in effect, but new increases are suspended until November 10, 2026.

  • Section 301 tariff exclusions set to expire on November 29, 2025, will now extend through November 10, 2026.

Regulatory Suspensions

  • The U.S. will suspend for one year the interim rule on End-User Controls for Listed-Entity Affiliates, starting November 10, 2025.

  • Implementation of responsive Section 301 shipbuilding actions will also be paused for one year while negotiations with China continue, alongside U.S. cooperation with South Korea and Japan to strengthen American shipbuilding.

🌎 Broader Implications

The latest U.S.–China trade actions signal a cautious thaw in economic relations and renewed collaboration on global supply chain stability, advanced materials, and export-control enforcement.

Analysts note that agricultural exporters, semiconductor firms, and logistics providers stand to benefit most from the easing of restrictions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What prompted the recent U.S.–China trade actions?

Both nations sought to de-escalate trade friction, address fentanyl concerns, and stabilize agricultural and technology trade.

2. Which sectors benefit most from these changes?

Agriculture, semiconductors, and shipping are the primary beneficiaries of tariff suspensions and regulatory relief.

3. When do these measures take effect?

Most changes begin November 10, 2025, with agricultural purchases and tariff suspensions running through 2026.

4. Will additional actions follow?

Further details are expected in Federal Register publications and subsequent White House releases.