China-US Tariffs on Agenda Ahead of Xi-Trump Talks
China and the United States discussed China-US tariffs, agricultural trade and other issues at their first trade council meeting on Friday, China’s Commerce Ministry said on Saturday, days ahead of an expected leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen next week.
“The two sides held candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges on implementing the outcomes of previous China-US economic and trade talks, including tariffs, a reciprocal ‘$30 billion-for-$30 billion’ tariff-cut arrangement, agricultural trade and other issues of mutual concern,” the ministry said.
The Office of the US Trade Representative, alongside the US Treasury, held the first official US-China Board of Trade meeting with Chinese counterparts, the USTR said on X on November 13. It did not say whether any agreements were reached. Both sides will continue using the council to address trade concerns, expand cooperation and reduce outstanding issues, the ministry added.
China-US tariffs: the $60bn package still unfinished
Following a September summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Washington, the two sides proposed a $60 billion package of reciprocal tariff cuts, including roughly $17 billion worth of US farm goods that China imported in 2024. The plan has yet to be finalised.
Chinese purchases of US farm goods other than soybeans are on track to hit a seven-year low this year, despite an agreement to buy $17 billion annually through 2028, a Reuters analysis of customs data showed earlier this month. The gap underlines how uncertain the deal remains.
Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to implement the $60 billion tariff-reduction deal, calling it a prerequisite for increasing purchases of US farm goods.
What the talks mean for Pakistan
The White House said Trump will meet Xi on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Shenzhen. The meeting comes as Trump, Xi and Vladimir Putin are also set to hold a historic meeting in China. For Pakistan, the outcome matters twice over: China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner, and the United States is its biggest export market.
Pakistan’s own trade talks with Washington have moved in parallel. Pakistan and the US moved close to a trade deal in October, and Pakistani exports to the US rose even as imports surged. A US-China tariff deal would ease pressure on global supply chains, while a breakdown would push costs up for importers everywhere, including Pakistan.
At home, the tariff debate is live too. Pakistan has debated cutting tariffs to open its economy, and the World Trade Organization has raised its trade forecast, with gains for Pakistan. The Shenzhen meeting will show whether the world’s two largest economies can turn Friday’s council talks into a deal, or whether the $60 billion package stays on paper.
The Shenzhen visit carries a second set of stakes. The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting runs on November 18 and 19, and Trump, Xi and Putin are also due to hold their first ever three-way meeting on Thursday, with nuclear arms reduction and Iran on the agenda and Ukraine not on it. No agreements are expected from that meeting, but the leaders’ talks will show whether the tariff council’s work can move from discussion to a deal.
Frequently asked questions
What did China and the US discuss?
Tariff cuts, farm trade and other issues at their first trade council meeting on Friday, ahead of the leaders’ meeting in Shenzhen.
What is the $30 billion-for-$30 billion arrangement?
A proposed reciprocal tariff-cut deal discussed as part of implementing the outcomes of earlier China-US economic and trade talks.
What is the $60 billion package?
A proposed package of reciprocal tariff cuts from the September Xi-Trump summit, including about $17 billion of US farm goods. It has not yet been finalised.
When do Xi and Trump meet?
The White House said Trump will meet Xi on Thursday on the sidelines of the APEC forum in Shenzhen.
Why does it matter for Pakistan?
China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and the US its biggest export market, so a deal or a breakdown moves costs for Pakistani traders either way.
