US-China Trade War: Xi and Trump Set to Resolve Tariff Truce Amid Broader Economic Rivalry
Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first visit by a Chinese leader in over a decade.
In Brief
- •Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first visit by a Chinese leader in over a decade.
- •The US has imposed tariffs on Chinese goods and restricted the sale of AI chips to Beijing, while China has responded with its own tariffs and export curbs.
- •US trade with China fell nearly 30 percent in 2025, while China registered a $1.2 trillion global trade surplus last year.
- •The tariff truce between the US and China is set to expire on November 10, with both sides engaging in additional trade curbs and sanctions.
- •The trade conflict extends beyond tariffs, including sanctions, investment restrictions, and research curbs, with China's leverage in critical minerals being a key factor.
Why It Matters
The US-China trade war has significant economic and geopolitical implications. The tariff truce between the two nations is a fragile agreement that could have far-reaching effects on global trade and economic stability. The meeting between Xi and Trump is a critical opportunity to address the ongoing conflict and potentially reach a new agreement. However, the broader economic and technological rivalry between the two countries suggests that the trade war is far from over. The restrictions on critical minerals and the escalation of sanctions and export curbs highlight the depth of the competition and the potential for further economic disruption.
Key Details
- US Tariff Rate on Chinese Goods
- 36.5 percent
- China Tariff Rate on US Goods
- 31 percent
- US Trade Decline with China in 2025
- 29.9 percent
- China's Global Trade Surplus in 2025
- $1.2 trillion
- Tariff Truce Expiration Date
- November 10, 2026
Context & Background
The US-China trade war has been a significant feature of the economic relationship between the two countries since Trump's re-election in 2025. The conflict has been driven by a combination of tariffs, sanctions, and export curbs, with both sides seeking to gain an economic advantage. The tariff truce between the US and China has been a temporary solution to the ongoing conflict, but the broader economic and technological rivalry suggests that the trade war is far from over.
What To Watch
November 10, 2026
Original Reporting & Sources
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