The US and China have announced reciprocal tariff cuts on approximately $30bn worth of goods each, covering everything from foie gras and live dolphins to toasters and billiard balls. The move signals a further easing of the intense trade war that dominated much of last year, though major strategic products remain excluded and no timeline has been set for the reductions.
US Tariff Cuts: 77 Categories of Chinese Goods
The US list targets 77 categories of Chinese products, focusing largely on consumer goods and light manufactures. Bed linen, garden umbrellas, toasters, fish hooks, and billiard balls are among the items that will see reduced tariffs. These products represent a mix of household items and recreational goods, suggesting a pragmatic approach to lowering costs for American consumers and businesses.
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China Tariff Cuts: 1,619 Types of US Products
China's reciprocal list is far more extensive, covering 1,619 types of US products. It includes a broad range of food items such as butter, offal, lobster, and foie gras, as well as coal, scientific devices like MRI systems, rabbit hair, and several types of animals for breeding. Notably, the list also features live dolphins, whales, donkeys, mules, horses, and dugongs.
Han Lin, China country director at The Asia Group, commented: “The animal list is certainly eye-catching: donkeys, mules, horses, whales, dolphins and dugongs. But I’d read it less as an exotic trade story than as evidence of how granular tariff codes can be.”
Comparison of US and China Tariff Cut Lists
| Category | US List (Chinese Goods) | China List (US Goods) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Categories | 77 | 1,619 |
| Consumer Goods | Bed linen, garden umbrellas, toasters, fish hooks, billiard balls | Butter, offal, lobster, foie gras |
| Industrial/Energy | Not specified | Coal |
| Scientific/Medical | Not specified | MRI systems |
| Animals | Not specified | Live dolphins, whales, donkeys, mules, horses, dugongs, breeding animals |
Key Takeaways from the Tariff Cuts
- Reciprocal reductions: Both countries are cutting tariffs on roughly $30bn of goods each, marking a de-escalation of trade tensions.
- Strategic products excluded: Major strategic goods are not included, indicating that core trade disputes remain unresolved.
- No timeline yet: The reductions have been announced but no implementation date has been given.
- Granular tariff codes: The lists highlight the extreme specificity of modern trade classifications, from toasters to live dolphins.
- Political context: The move follows a summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump aimed at stabilising the volatile relationship.
The announcements come just days after Xi Jinping and Donald Trump met in Washington for an optics-driven summit aimed at stabilising the two sides' volatile relationship. Zhu Tian, vice-president and co-dean at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), noted that the cuts are a positive step but cautioned that structural issues remain.
FAQ
What goods are included in the US-China tariff cuts?
The US list includes 77 categories of Chinese goods such as bed linen, garden umbrellas, toasters, fish hooks, and billiard balls. China's list covers 1,619 types of US products including butter, offal, lobster, foie gras, coal, MRI systems, rabbit hair, and live animals like dolphins, whales, donkeys, mules, horses, and dugongs.
When will the tariff cuts take effect?
No timeline has been given for the reductions. The lists have been released, but implementation dates are yet to be announced.
Why are live dolphins and foie gras on the tariff list?
These items appear due to the granular nature of tariff codes. As Han Lin of The Asia Group noted, the animal list is eye-catching but reflects how specific trade classifications can be. Foie gras is a high-value food product, while live dolphins and other animals are likely used for breeding or exhibition purposes.
Does this mean the US-China trade war is over?
Not entirely. While the tariff cuts represent a de-escalation, major strategic products are not included, and core disputes over technology, intellectual property, and industrial policy remain unresolved. The move is a step toward stabilisation but not a comprehensive resolution.
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