US and China reach deal to roll back most tariffs for 90 days

Apnews - May 12th, 2025

The United States and China have agreed to significantly reduce their respective tariffs, establishing a 90-day truce in their ongoing trade war. Announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Geneva, the deal sees the U.S. decreasing its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China lowers its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. This move is seen as a critical step back from a trade conflict that has caused significant uncertainty in the global economy. The announcement led to a sharp rise in stock markets worldwide, with investors optimistic about the potential for further negotiations and economic stability.

This development occurs in the context of heightened trade tensions between the two economic powerhouses, which had previously resulted in tariffs so high they essentially blocked each nation's goods. Both countries have expressed a desire to avoid a complete decoupling and to achieve more balanced trade relations. The ongoing negotiations are crucial, as they offer a pathway to resolving longstanding trade disputes that have disrupted global markets. However, the 90-day suspension is temporary, and the long-term outcome remains uncertain, leaving room for cautious optimism among global businesses and investors.

Scott Bessent Global Economy Trade Negotiations Jamieson Greer Us China Trade Deal Tariff Rollback

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RATING

6.2

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of the recent U.S.-China trade agreement, presenting key facts about the tariff reductions and their potential impact on global markets. While it includes credible sources and attempts to balance perspectives, the story could benefit from more detailed verification of specific claims and broader representation of viewpoints. The presence of technical code within the text detracts from readability and engagement, but the article remains accessible due to its clear language and logical structure. Overall, the story addresses a significant public interest topic with the potential to influence discussions on international trade policies, though further depth and transparency would enhance its impact and credibility.

Accuracy

The article presents a generally accurate overview of the recent U.S.-China trade agreement to roll back tariffs and initiate a 90-day truce. It correctly identifies the key players involved, such as the U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. However, some claims, like the specific percentage points of tariff reductions and the exact impact on the markets, require further verification from authoritative sources. The story mentions a reduction from 145% to 30% for U.S. tariffs and from 145% to 10% for Chinese tariffs, which aligns with official statements but should be cross-verified with government releases for precision. Additionally, while the article reports on market reactions, it would benefit from specific data or citations from financial reports to substantiate these claims.

Balance

The article attempts to present a balanced view by including statements from both U.S. and Chinese officials, as well as market analysts. However, it leans slightly towards a U.S. perspective, focusing more on American officials and their statements. The Chinese perspective is provided but could be expanded to include more viewpoints from Chinese officials or independent analysts in China. Additionally, while market reactions are included, the article could benefit from a broader range of economic expert opinions to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts of the tariff reductions.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information from the announcement of the agreement to its potential impacts. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a general audience. However, some sections are interrupted by unrelated technical code, which disrupts the reading experience. Additionally, while the article covers the main points, it could benefit from clearer explanations of complex economic terms and processes to enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article relies on statements from U.S. officials and mentions a Chinese Commerce Ministry statement, which are credible sources. However, the lack of direct quotes or citations from official documents or press releases reduces the reliability of the information. The inclusion of market analysts like Mark Williams adds some depth, but the article would benefit from a wider array of sources, including independent economists or trade experts, to enhance credibility and provide a more nuanced understanding of the situation.

Transparency

The article provides some context about the U.S.-China trade tensions and the significance of the tariff rollbacks. However, it lacks transparency in terms of explaining the methodology behind the reported figures, such as the calculation of tariff percentage reductions. There is also little information about the potential long-term impacts or the specific terms of the agreement. Greater disclosure of how the information was obtained and more detailed explanations of the underlying economic principles would improve transparency.