China Extends Suspension of 24% Tariff on US Imports for Two Months

China will maintain its suspension of an additional 24% tariff on imports from the United States for two more months, the finance ministry and the State Council said on Monday, November 9. The extension takes effect at 1:01 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10. A tariff of 10% on US imports stays in place.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council issued the notice on Monday, and MLex reported the official statement at 03:37 GMT on November 9. The decision stops the suspension from lapsing this week and keeps the current rates in place for the two months ahead.

Tied to the Washington meeting

The commission said the extension was intended to implement the "outcomes and consensus reached at the Washington meeting between the heads of state of China and the United States." It said the step would provide greater stability and predictability for bilateral trade, and that keeping some additional tariffs suspended would help keep policy stable and predictable for the trade ties between the two countries.

The extension follows agreements reached between the two countries' leaders during their September summit in Washington. After that summit, both sides proposed a $60 billion package of reciprocal tariff cuts. The package includes roughly $17 billion worth of US farm goods that China imported in 2024. The plan has yet to be finalised, Reuters reported.

A pause first set in 2025

China first suspended the 24% portion of its additional tariffs in 2025 and kept a 10% rate in place. A year ago, Beijing extended that suspension for 12 months from November 10, 2025. That one-year suspension was due to expire this week. The new decision keeps the current arrangement in place instead of letting it end. It does not cut rates any further, because the 10% tariff remains in place.

Beijing watches the next US move

In a separate statement reported by MLex, China said it has noted that the US side has repeatedly stated it intends to use Section 301 tariffs to replace the tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, known as IEEPA, that have been held invalid by judicial rulings. Beijing said it will closely follow subsequent measures taken by the US side and will, as appropriate, adjust relevant tariff countermeasures in light of developments.

APEC meeting comes next

The move comes ahead of next week's APEC summit in China, where President Donald Trump has said he expects to meet President Xi Jinping. With the earlier suspension close to expiry, the extension removes a deadline that sat directly in front of that meeting. For now, the rates in front of traders do not change: the additional 24% tariff stays suspended, and the 10% tariff stays on.