Trump signs order extending China tariff deadline for 90 days, official says

WASHINGTON (REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending a pause in sharply higher US tariffs on Chinese imports for another 90 days, a White House official said.

A tariff truce between Beijing and Washington had been set to expire on August 12 at 00:01 (04:01 GMT), but the Trump administration had hinted the deadline could be extended.

The order prevents U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from shooting up to 145%, with Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods set to hit 125%, rates that would have resulted in a virtual trade embargo.

"We'll see what happens," Trump told a press conference, when asked how he planned to extend the deadline. "They've been dealing quite nicely. The relationship is very good with President Xi (Jinping) and myself."

Imports from China are currently subject to 30% tariffs, including a 10% base rate and 20% in fentanyl-related tariffs imposed by Washington in February and March. China had matched the de-escalation, lowering its rate on US imports to 10%.

The two sides in May announced a truce in their trade dispute after talks in Geneva, Switzerland, agreeing to a 90-day period to allow further talks. They met again in Stockholm, Sweden in late July, but did not announce an agreement to further extend the deadline.