The United States and China have agreed on proposals for more favourable tariff treatment covering US$30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods in each direction, alongside commitments on coal purchases and new mechanisms for investment and emerging technology discussions.
The agreements were outlined in a White House fact sheet released on Friday (Sept 25), following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington and discussions with US President Donald Trump.
Under the US-China Board of Trade, the two countries reached a consensus on recommendations for tariff treatment involving selected goods, rather than announcing an immediate across-the-board tariff reduction.
The products identified for US exports include agricultural goods, fish and seafood, timber, cosmetics and medical devices. Goods imported by the US under the proposed arrangement include small appliances, toys, holiday decorations and children’s car seats.
The Board of Trade also established a working group to address market access barriers affecting agricultural products.
China To Buy At Least 10 Million Tonnes Of US Coal Annually
The White House said China had committed to importing at least 10 million metric tonnes of US coal in 2027 and another 10 million tonnes in 2028.
The two countries also formally established the US-China Board of Investment, a government-to-government platform intended to discuss potential investment opportunities and address impediments affecting commercially significant investments.
However, negotiations remain ongoing over US concerns about shortages of rare earths and other critical minerals, with both sides seeking to restore shipments to appropriate levels.
Trump also urged Xi to increase production of refined petroleum products to help stabilise global supply, although the fact sheet did not announce a corresponding Chinese commitment.
US-China Dialogue On Emerging Technology
On technology, the White House said the leaders agreed to use the term “super intelligence” rather than “artificial intelligence” to describe the relevant emerging technologies.
The two countries established a US-China Super Intelligence Dialogue to exchange views on the risks and benefits of the technology, with the next meeting scheduled by November 2026.
A bilateral communication channel will also be established to address incidents involving the technology.
The fact sheet did not announce changes to existing restrictions on advanced semiconductors or technology exports.
Cooperation On Security And Drug Enforcement
The White House said the two leaders agreed to pursue a relationship based on strategic stability, respect, fairness and reciprocity.
They also discussed Russia, North Korea and Iran, agreeing that Iran should not possess nuclear weapons and that transit fees should not be imposed on international waterways.
Trump advocated trilateral arms control negotiations involving the US, Russia and China.
On drug enforcement, Washington welcomed China’s scheduling of orphines and new export controls on two fentanyl precursor chemicals. The White House also said China had arrested 21 Chinese citizens in August following information supplied by US law enforcement.
The two leaders expressed their intention to attend each other’s upcoming international summits, with China hosting APEC in November and the US hosting the G20 in December.
