Washington, August 12, 2025 – The Europe Today: US President Donald Trump has extended the pause on tariffs with China for an additional 90 days, just hours before the previous trade truce was set to expire, according to media reports.
Trump reportedly signed an executive order on Monday, delaying the implementation of sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports by the same duration as the original suspension. Without the extension, tariffs on Chinese goods entering the United States were set to rise sharply to 145% shortly after midnight on Tuesday.
The tariff détente, agreed upon in May, had been due to end on Monday. Earlier in the day, Beijing voiced its expectation for “positive trade outcomes” from Washington, urging the United States to adhere to the consensus reached during a recent phone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Trump.
“We hope that the US will work with China to follow the important consensus reached during the phone call between the two heads of state … and strive for positive outcomes on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in a statement.
When asked about the looming deadline, Trump remarked, “We’ll see what happens,” but expressed cautious optimism, stating that “China has been dealing quite nicely” and describing his relationship with Xi as “very good.”
The extension comes after Chinese and US officials met in Stockholm last month for another round of trade negotiations. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that the two sides had “the makings” of a deal, though further discussions were needed to finalize its framework and details.
The prolonged tariff dispute between the world’s two largest economies has shaken global markets and heightened fears of a broader trade war. Washington has previously threatened tariffs of up to 245% on Chinese products, while Beijing has proposed retaliatory tariffs of 125%.
The United States and China — whose combined GDP reached nearly $50 trillion (€43 trillion) in 2024 — will continue talks over the next 90 days, with White House officials expressing optimism that an agreement can be reached before the new deadline.
