US expected to delay new tariffs until after Trump-Xi summit

The United States is anticipated to postpone the unveiling of tariffs on Chinese goods until following the upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to individuals familiar with the matter. The announcement was initially expected to coincide with the meeting, with Bloomberg reporting that the trade report recommending a 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods would be released prior to the summit.

The delay's reasons remain unclear, as does the possibility that the ultimate tariff rate may diverge from the anticipated level. This new levy would raise Trump's second-term tariffs on Chinese products to approximately 20%, a rate Beijing has previously stated aligns with its trade truce with Washington. The Trump administration initiated the Section 301 investigation into over a dozen major trading partners in March due to concerns about excess manufacturing capacity.

The tariffs planned for China, along with duties imposed for forced labor, are anticipated to bring tariff rates closer to the country-specific duties imposed by Trump, which were invalidated by the US Supreme Court earlier in 2026. The Office of the US Trade Representative and the White House have not yet provided a response to requests for information.

During the summit, US and Chinese officials are set to discuss various topics, including the conflict in Iran, trade, and artificial intelligence.