Customer Advisory

U.S.-China Conclude Two-Day Trade Talks in Geneva with Joint Statement

The two-day U.S.-China trade talks held in Geneva, Switzerland, concluded with the release of a joint statement on April 12.

According to a Bloomberg report, the United States will reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for a period of 90 days, while China will lower tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%.

Background

The talks were held in response to escalating trade tensions following recent reciprocal tariff hikes. The exceptionally high tariffs had led to significant disruptions in bilateral trade, raising costs for importers and creating uncertainty across global supply chains. This temporary tariff relief signals a step toward easing tensions and resuming constructive dialogue between the two countries.

Potential Impact on Trade

• Short-Term Boost in Volume: The 90-day tariff reduction is likely to trigger a short-term surge in shipments, especially for goods previously impacted by steep duties. Importers may rush to move cargo before the temporary relief expires.
• Cost Relief for Importers: Importers on both sides may benefit from significantly lower landed costs, particularly in sectors such as electronics, consumer goods, and raw materials.
• Improved Market Confidence: The tariff rollback may help restore business confidence, potentially stimulating new purchase orders and reactivating delayed shipments.
• Logistics Planning Implications: Companies will need to closely monitor the 90-day window, optimize booking strategies, and coordinate with suppliers to capitalize on the reduced duty period.

The 90-day tariff reduction between the U.S. and China is expected to trigger a short-term surge in export activity, particularly on China-to-U.S. lanes. Importers and exporters from both sides are likely to expedite shipments to take advantage of the temporary relief, leading to increased demand for ocean freight services. 

As a result, space availability is expected to tighten quickly—especially on high-traffic routes from major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Yantian to the U.S. West and East Coasts. Compounding the situation, carriers have already implemented a series of blank sailings in recent weeks due to previously low volumes, and these withdrawn sailings cannot be reinstated immediately. This limits the market’s short-term capacity flexibility. In response to this surge and constrained space, carriers may seize the opportunity to raise rates or restrict contract space allocations in order to manage capacity and maximize yield.

It’s welcomed and encouraged for your to reach out to USPTI sales reps, so we can assist with you to allocate and arrange the space and equipment for your shipment for coming months. If you have any questions or need any details, please don’t hesitate to contact your Sales Rep. 

USPTI thanks you for your continued support!!

[Joint Statement on the China-U.S. Economic and Trade Talks in Geneva]

May 12, 2025, 15:01 Monday

The Government of the People’s Republic of China (“China”) and the Government of the United States of America (“United States”):

Recognize the importance of bilateral economic and trade relations to both countries and the global economy;

Acknowledge the importance of maintaining sustainable, long-term, and mutually beneficial bilateral economic and trade relations;

Based on recent discussions, believe that continued consultations will help resolve key issues in the economic and trade sectors;

Adhere to the principles of mutual openness, continued communication, cooperation, and mutual respect, and will continue to promote relevant work;

Both sides have committed to implementing the following measures before May 14, 2025:

The United States will:

1. Amend Executive Order No. 14257 issued on April 2, 2025, which regulates additional tariffs on specific Chinese goods (including goods from Hong Kong and Macau). Specifically, the 24% ad valorem tariffs will be suspended for 90 days, while a 10% tariff will remain according to the provisions of the order;
2. Cancel additional tariffs on these goods based on Executive Orders No. 14259 (April 8, 2025) and No. 14266 (April 9, 2025).

China will:

1. Amend Tariff Commission Announcement No. 4 of 2025, which specifies additional ad valorem tariffs on U.S. goods. Specifically, the 24% tariff will be temporarily suspended for 90 days, while a 10% tariff will remain. Tariffs based on Tariff Commission Announcements No. 5 and No. 6 of 2025 will be canceled;
2. Take necessary measures to suspend or cancel countermeasures implemented since April 2, 2025, in response to U.S. tariff actions.

To follow up on these measures, the two sides will establish a joint task force to promote the next phase of economic and trade consultations. The Chinese side will be represented by Vice Premier He Lifeng of the State Council. The U.S. side will be represented by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. Consultations may take place in China, the United States, or a third location agreed upon by both sides. Depending on the needs, both parties may conduct in-depth working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues.

美中為期2天的瑞士日內瓦經貿會談落幕，並在12日發布聯合聲明。彭博12日報導，美國對中國商品關稅將從145%降至30%，為期90天，與此同時，中國對美國商品的關稅將從125%降至10%。

彭博引述聲明指出，美中暫時降低彼此產品的關稅，旨在緩和貿易緊張情勢，並給世界2個最大經濟體3個月的時間解決分歧。美國財政部長貝森特（Scott Bessent）表示，美中已針對關稅暫緩90天達成協議，雙方將在90天內互相下調115%的報復性關稅稅率。

依據白宮聲明，鑑於雙方經貿關係對兩國及全球經濟的重要性，以及認知到建立一個可持續、長期、互利的經貿關係的重要性，本著互相開放、持續溝通、合作與互相尊重的精神，雙方同意於2025年5月14日前採取下列行動：

【中美經貿會談聯合聲明全文】

中華人民共和國政府（"中國"）和美利堅合眾國政府（"美國"），

　　認識到雙邊經貿關係對兩國和全球經濟的重要性；

　　認識到可持續的、長期的、互利的雙邊經貿關係的重要性；

　　鋻於雙方近期的討論，相信持續的協商有助於解決雙方在經貿領域關切的問題；

　　本著相互開放、持續溝通、合作和相互尊重的精神，繼續推進相關工作；

　　雙方承諾將於2025年5月14日前採取以下舉措：

　　美國將：

（一）修改2025年4月2日第14257號行政令中規定的對中國商品（包括香港特別行政區和澳門特別行政區商品）加徵的從價關稅，其中，24%的關稅在初始的90天內暫停實施，同時保留按該行政令的規定對這些商品加徵剩餘10%的關稅；

（二）取消根據2025年4月8日第14259號行政令和2025年4月9日第14266號行政令對這些商品的加徵關稅。

　　中國將：

（一）相應修改稅委會公告2025年第4號規定的對美國商品加徵的從價關稅，其中，24%的關稅在初始的90天內暫停實施，同時保留對這些商品加徵剩餘10%的關稅，並取消根據稅委會公告2025年第5號和第6號對這些商品的加徵關稅；

（二）採取必要措施，暫停或取消自2025年4月2日起針對美國的非關稅反制措施。

　　採取上述舉措後，雙方將建立機制，繼續就經貿關係進行協商。中方代表是國務院副總理何立峰，美方代表是財政部長斯科特‧貝森特和美國貿易代表賈米森‧格里爾。協商可在中國、美國，或雙方商定的第三國進行。根據需要，雙方可就相關經貿議題開展工作層面磋商。