China stretches pause on extra 24% US tariffs by two more months

Beijing's Finance Ministry said Monday it will keep an extra 24% tariff on US imports suspended for another two months, starting November 10. The 10% duty that both sides already carry stays exactly where it is. The ministry billed the rollover as Beijing putting into effect the outcomes of recent high-level talks with Washington.

Those talks happened in September — and the calendar matters. The 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting runs November 18–19 in Shenzhen, China, meaning the extension takes hold days before the two sides sit down.

The warm front has a cold edge. On Saturday, China's Commerce Ministry said it firmly opposes US sanctions on two Chinese companies tied to their dealings with a third party, calling the move a violation of international law and basic norms of international relations, according to the Global Times. A spokesperson said China reserves the right to take necessary measures and urged the US to correct its wrongful practices. From the other side, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday he and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke with Vice Premier He Lifeng and pressed China to fully and immediately honor its commitments under the Busan arrangement, tying further progress to concrete results.