China cuts tariffs on $75 billion of U.S. imports in trade truce – By Associated Press (NBC News) / Feb 6 2020
“We hope to work with the United States toward the final elimination of all tariff increases,” said a Ministry of Finance statement.
BEIJING — China cut tariffs on $75 billion of U.S. imports including soybeans, pork and auto parts Thursday in a trade truce with Washington while Beijing struggles with a costly virus outbreak.
The cuts follow last month’s signing of a “Phase 1” agreement toward ending a long-running tariff war over Beijing’s technology ambitions and trade surplus. Both sides have made conciliatory gestures but the lingering dispute threatens to chill global economic growth.
The reductions follow American tariff cuts last month on Chinese goods. There was no indication Beijing altered its own cuts in response to the rising cost of efforts to contain a virus outbreak that have depressed business activity by closing factories, restaurants and shops.
“The next steps depend on the development of the Chinese-U.S. economic and trade situation,” said a Ministry of Finance statement. “We hope to work with the United States toward the final elimination of all tariff increases.”
The tax rate on some 916 items including soybeans, pork and fish was cut from 10 percent to 5 percent, effective Feb. 14, the ministry said. The rate for 801 items including auto parts will be cut from 5 percent to 2.5 percent.
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