29.09.2026 Regulation #USA #China #Import #Export #Duties #Trade agreements
US and China publish '30-for-30' tariff-cut lists for $30bn in goods
On September 27, 2026 the White House published the "30-FOR-30" framework and two lists of goods that the United States and China will consider for reciprocal tariff reductions (White House); on September 28 China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) set out its position on the mechanism, which China calls "300亿对300亿" (chinanews.com.cn). The lists were prepared by the U.S.-China Board of Trade, which the two leaders agreed to establish at their Beijing meeting in May 2026; at the eighth round of consultations on September 20–23 in New York and Washington, the sides agreed on the board's working procedures, the framework's terms of reference and the lists themselves (chinanews.com.cn). The trade covered is about $30 billion on each side, based on 2024 bilateral trade (21jingji.com).
Toys and Christmas ornaments against coal and farm goods
China's list of US products covers 1,619 items, mostly agricultural: wheat, corn, live cattle, beef, pork, poultry, cheese, butter and other dairy products (Agri-Pulse). According to Euronews, it also includes coal, wood and timber products, and medical equipment such as MRI scanners, pacemakers, stents and surgical robots; separately, Beijing has committed to importing at least 10 million metric tons of US coal in 2027 and 2028 (Euronews).
The US list of Chinese products is shorter, at 77 items. Agri-Pulse names fireworks, electric blankets, artificial flowers, flashlights, Christmas ornaments and fish hooks among them (Agri-Pulse). Euronews adds glass and wooden Christmas ornaments, Christmas-tree lights, microwave ovens, toasters, coffee makers, bed linen and tennis balls; toys are included, but not those with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet or radio-frequency connectivity (Euronews).
Over 90% of items shed additional duties
The White House describes both lists as goods the sides will consider "with a view toward providing reduced tariff treatment" on a reciprocal basis and consistent with their domestic laws and processes, that is, as recommendations rather than cuts already in force (White House). According to MOFCOM, more than 90% of the items will be fully exempted from the additional tariffs the two sides imposed on each other and will receive most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment (chinanews.com.cn; 163.com).
Soybeans left off the list
Whole soybeans were not included on China's list and remain subject to a 10% tariff, while soybean seed, meal, oil and cake were included (Agri-Pulse).
No effective date yet
According to MOFCOM, the two sides will cut tariffs simultaneously once each has completed its domestic legal procedures (chinanews.com.cn; 21jingji.com); the published materials give no calendar date. An agriculture working group has been set up under the trade board, with its first meeting planned before the end of 2026 (21jingji.com; 163.com). Until those procedures are complete, goods on both lists enter at current rates, including the reciprocal additional tariffs.
Primary sources
- The White House: U.S.-China Board of Trade
- 中新网: 商务部公布中美贸易理事会和“300亿对300亿”对等降税框架有关情况
- 21世纪经济报道: 美方将对玩具、家电、婴儿用品等约300亿美元自华进口商品降低关税
- 网易: 商务部公布中美贸易理事会和“300亿对300亿”对等降税框架有关情况
- Agri-Pulse: White House releases '30-for-30' China framework to reduce tariffs
- Euronews: US and China list $30bn worth of goods for tariff cuts
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.