Beginning on May 14, the United States will pause additional tariffs it imposed on China on April 8 and 9, 2025, for a period of 90 days. Duties imposed on China prior to April 2, 2024, will be retained, including Section 301 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 tariffs, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 tariffs, tariffs imposed in response to the fentanyl national emergency invoked pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), and Most Favored Nation tariffs. The adjustments will provide temporary relief to businesses while the United States and the PRC continue trade negotiations.
During the 90 day pause, all articles imported into the United States from the PRC will be subject to the following tariffs:
- Section 301 tariffs (initiated in the first Trump administration) of 7.5 to 100%.
- IEEPA (fentanyl-related) ad valorem tariff of 20%.
- Section 232 (steel and aluminum) ad valorem tariffs 25%.
- Section 232 (autos) ad valorem tariffs 25%.
- IEEPA (reciprocal) ad valorem tariff of 10% (reciprocal tariff temporarily reduced from 125%).
For goods removed from warehouses for consumption after May 14, 2025, the United States will cut the low-value “de minimis” tariff on China direct to consumer postal shipments from 120% to 54%. Packages using carriers other than international postal carriers are subject to the duty schedule presented above. The postal item charge of $100 per package will remain in place.
The U.S. actions were accompanied by actions from the PRC, which reverted its retaliatory tariffs to pre-April 4, 2025 levels. During this pause period, China will retain a 10% tariff on all U.S. goods for 90 days.
What we’re tracking
- Modifying Reciprocal Tariff Rates to Reflect Discussions with the People’s Republic of China — The White House; posted May 12, 2025, to Whitehouse.gov
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Secures a Historic Trade Win for the United States — The White House; posted May 12, 2025, to Whitehouse.gov
Why it’s important
For 90 days, this new tariff regime will govern nearly all trade between the United States and the PRC.
How it impacts you
This change in tariff rates and the associated HTS codes will immediately impact Chinese-produced goods in your supply chain. Companies need to be extra vigilant that their import documentation is in order.
What to expect next
Companies must monitor the Federal Register (federalregister.gov) as the final provisions haven’t been posted. In addition, in a joint statement with the PRC, the White House stated, “After taking the aforementioned actions, the Parties will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations. The representative from the Chinese side for these discussions will be He Lifeng, Vice Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the U.S. side will be Scott Bessent, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative. These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States or a third country upon agreement of the Parties. As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues.”
As negotiations between the countries continue, the situation is expected to remain dynamic, with potential impacts on compliance, business continuity, and strategies for competitiveness.
