US, China agree to slash tariffs

US levies now 30%, China's fall to 10%

- NINA LARSON

The United States and China announced yesterday an agreement to drastically reduce tit-for-tat tariffs for 90 days, de-escalating a trade war that has roiled financial markets and raised fears of a global economic downturn.

After their first talks since US President Donald Trump launched his trade war, the world's two biggest economies agreed in a joint statement to bring their triple-digit tariffs down to two figures and continue negotiations.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the weekend talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and international trade representative Li Chenggang as "productive" and "robust".

"Both sides showed a great respect," Mr Bessent told reporters.

US President Donald Trump had imposed duties of 145% on imports for China last month — compared to 10% for other countries in the global tariff blitz he launched last month.